Motorsport

South Africa’s Kyalami race track is set to remain a motorsport venue after German automotive giant Porsche agreed to acquire the circuit for a reported R205m (€14.1m/$19.1m).

Mexican live events company CIE and the federal government have agreed terms with the Formula One group on a five-year deal for Mexico City to stage a round of the motor-racing championship, with the contract worth about $72m (€52.9m) per year.

Mexico is set to return to the Formula One calendar for the first time in 23 years after it was announced that a five-year deal has been agreed for a round of the motor-racing series to be staged in Mexico City from 2015.

Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has denied recent reports that he is planning a takeover of the motor-racing series’ parent company Delta Topco, while organisers of the sport’s inaugural Russian Grand Prix have maintained this year’s race in Sochi remains on course despite the escalation in tension in eastern Ukraine.

Shareholders in Formula One are set to share a dividend of $1bn (€733.8bn) thanks to a refinancing of the motor racing business, according to the Reuters news agency.

Online sports retailer Kitbag has secured a worldwide rights deal with McLaren to operate the Formula One motor racing team’s official online store and all McLaren branded outlets at grand prix and motorsport events.

French automotive manufacturer Renault has secured the future of its World Series motor racing championship after announcing that its headline Formula Renault 3.5 category will run until at least 2017.

Organisers of the Race of Champions have shortlisted venues in Barbados, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Qatar, Sweden and the US as they aim to return the event to the motorsport calendar in 2014.

Nine of the most powerful teams in the North American stock car series Nascar have joined forces to form a collaborative business alliance.

Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has said he is considering making a bid to retake control of the commercial rights to the motor-racing series.

Formula One’s Italian Grand Prix host, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, has promised circuit upgrades after the sport’s supremo Bernie Ecclestone said the facility is unlikely to remain on the calendar after its race contract expires in 2016.

Speculation surrounding the long-term future of Formula One team Caterham has ended following the announcement that the backmarkers have been taken over by a consortium of Swiss and Middle Eastern investors.

The future of one of Formula One’s most historic races is in doubt after F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone said Monza’s Italian Grand Prix is unlikely to remain on the calendar after its contract expires in 2016.

The World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) has added a second Chinese race to its 2014 calendar after logistical problems forced it to drop its US round in Sonoma.

The FIA, motorsport’s global governing body, has unveiled a partnership with Legends Polyphony Digital, the video gaming company that created the hugely-popular Gran Turismo series.

Toto Wolff, executive director of business for Formula One front-runners Mercedes, has begun the process of reducing his interest in rival team Williams by agreeing a deal to sell a stake of his shares in the British outfit to American healthcare entrepreneur Brad Hollinger.