Formula 1

Ferrari ace Fernando Alonso is the most marketable driver in Formula One ahead of the start of the 2014 season of the motor-racing championship, according to sports marketing company Repucom.

Jean Todt, president of the FIA, has said motorsport’s global governing body remains focused on introducing a cost cap system into Formula One next year, despite opposition from team owners who believe the concept is unworkable.

Norges Bank, which manages Norway’s $850bn (€620bn) sovereign wealth fund, has been told by the country’s politicians to answer questions on its acquisition of a stake in the Formula One motor racing series in May 2012.

An investor group led by Miami-headquartered buyout firm HIG Capital is closing in on a deal to acquire historic German race track the Nuerburgring, according to the Reuters news agency.

Azerbaijan is set to secure a spot on the Formula One calendar, according to the motor-racing championship’s chief executive, Bernie Ecclestone.

Long Beach officials are today set to debate the merits of returning a Formula One motor racing event to the Californian city.

Bernie Ecclestone will not be removed from his role as chief executive of Formula One for the time being at least, according to CVC Capital, the private equity company that operates the motor-racing championship.

The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) has been disbanded due to the “changing political and commercial landscape” in the motor racing series.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hit back at criticism of the scheduling of this season’s United States Grand Prix from a local Nascar race organiser, highlighting the difficulties involved in drawing up a calendar for a “world championship” versus that of a “domestic series”.

Formula One motor racing team Lotus has confirmed an extension of its chassis-engine partnership with French automotive group Renault.

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has ruled out replacing Bernie Ecclestone as the sport’s commercial head.

The Yota Devices has acquired a minority stake in Lotus as part of an agreement that will guarantee the smartphone manufacturer branding exposure on the Formula One team’s cars.

US private equity firm Bluewaters Communications Holdings has had a $650m (€477.9m) lawsuit against Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone dismissed by the New York Supreme Court, according to the Autoweek website

Gene Haas, co-owner of Nascar motor racing team Stewart-Haas, has entered an application to launch a new American Formula One team through his Haas Racing Developments outfit.

Ron Dennis has replaced Martin Whitmarsh as group chief executive of the McLaren Formula One team.

The Munich state court confirmed today (Thursday) that Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone will face charges over payments to a German banker when the motor-racing series was sold to private equity group CVC Capital Partners in 2005.

Formula One team Lotus has confirmed that talks have ended with potential investor Quantum Motorsport, but chairman Gerard Lopez has maintained the motor racing outfit’s financial future is secure.

Patrick Louis has stepped down as chief executive of Lotus as part of a senior management reshuffle at the leading Formula One motor racing team, according to the Autosport website.