A historic season finale

Plus: Tony Kanaan joins the podcast

The final Formula 1 race weekend is upon us, and it’s a three-way title fight.

Feels like 2007 all over again. The 2007 F1 season was dramatic, featuring a tight three-way fight between McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton & Fernando Alonso and Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen, with Kimi winning the Drivers’ Title by one point in the final race from 3rd in the Championship before the race.

This season, we see Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri come into the 24th and final race with a chance at walking away champion. With a 12-point lead on Verstappen, Norris needs to podium to be crowned Champion, while Verstappen and Piastri need to win and get some help from Lando to take home the hardware.

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Business of Speed Podcast

In this week’s episode, we talk to IndyCar champion and Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan about his extraordinary career and new role as Arrow McLaren Team Principal.

Highlights from the Episode:

• Driven by a Promise: Kanaan shares the emotional promise he made to his late father to win the Indy 500, a goal he achieved in 2013 after years of “grinding” and sacrifice, including living in a race shop in Europe with no money.

• A Leader of People: As the new Team Principal for Arrow McLaren, Kanaan discusses his leadership philosophy, emphasizing that success is built on the right people and accountability.

• Racing Insights: He names his “good Colombian friend,” Juan Pablo Montoya, as the most naturally gifted driver he’s ever raced against and selects his hometown track, Interlagos, as his favorite circuit.

Listen to the full episode to hear more about Tony’s incredible career, his friendship and rivalry with Helio Castroneves, and his vision for the future of IndyCar.

In the News

Ferrari teams up with S.Pellegrino

The 125-year-old sparkling water brand is joining forces with the luxury automaker’s Formula 1 team and the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli series.

The team-up is what executives describe as a celebration of their shared Italian roots.

But more than that, the partnership is also a push to engage younger, style-conscious consumers.

This one just feels right.

Toyota Gazoo Racing becomes Haas F1 Title Partner

Starting in 2026, the American team will officially rebrand as TGR Haas F1 Team, with the Japanese manufacturer replacing MoneyGram as title sponsor. The multi-year deal deepens their existing technical partnership, focusing on personnel development and a new simulator program in the UK, all while the team maintains its power unit supply deal with Ferrari.

Not so hot take: this is one step closer to a full Toyota buyout of Haas F1 and getting themselves back into the series.

Speaking of Toyota… they’re back with a banger…the Toyota GR GT.

• 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 & electric motor

• 650hp

• 1,750kg

• 200mph top speed

• Rear-wheel drive & front-engined

• Double-wishbone suspension

• Due in 2027

Read more from Hagerty.

Audi F1 Making Moves

Audi announced a new multi-year partnership with the intelligent travel and spend platform Perk.

Perk, which will become Audi’s official work automation partner, is set to aid the German outfit in organising the logistics behind its intense race calendar with its intelligent tools. The Perk logo will appear on various team assets.

The commercial ties between Doha and Audi’s F1 project are tightening ahead of 2026.

Complementing the Qatar Investment Authority’s existing stake in Sauber (acquired late 2024), the state’s tourism arm, Visit Qatar, has now officially joined forces with the team. This consolidation creates a robust ecosystem, linking sovereign wealth investment and national tourism strategy directly to the German manufacturer’s upcoming grid entry.

Cadillac to Activate at the Super Bowl

Cadillac Formula 1 Team has announced that it will launch its livery on Super Bowl Sunday, February 8, 2026.

Smart move for an American team looking to connect deeply to its American fan base and American roots.

Ironically, those who have followed me long enough know I’ve been calling for an F1 team to do this since at least 2022. Glad to finally have someone run with the idea.