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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Alpine doesn't desperately need that income, but it's naturally better to have it than not- it's $12m the commercial team doesn't need to find, or Renault/Otro have to tip in, or $12m it simply has to go without. A simple mistake with potentially huge consequences. #F1

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Had Gasly and Colapinto finished 6th and 7th, they'd have scored 14 points. That would have potentially put Alpine just 1pt away from Racing Bulls for fifth on the constructors' championship. That's worth around $12 million extra in prize money. #F1

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The Azerbaijan GP was a disaster for Alpine with potentially significant financial implications. Not only is there the cost of repairing two cars, but there's possibly far greater ramifications because of the lost points. #F1

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Newey's holding is a bit different to most. He doesn't hold the shares on paper, and is only eligible to them beyond March 2030. The shares have no extra rights meaning they're effectively just a strong medium-term financial incentive. #F1 2/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Adrian Newey holds a 4.7% stake in Aston Martin, but there are conditions attached. I dug into company documents and can reveal the full details on his investment in the Silverstone squad. #F1 1/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The owner-operator model, where the team principal owned the team (and it often carried his name) is fast being left behind in favour of corporate investors and hedge funds. The financial transformation in recent years has been extraordinary. #F1 3/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The value of F1 teams continues to rise driven by scarcity and a more robust financial model (prize money payments, cost cap, etc) making them lucrative investment vehicles. Buy in is rising but there's still plenty of room for growth. #F1 2/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Major news at Aston Martin with American billionaire Woody Johnson buying a stake, valuing the team at $3.5 billion. Johnson's slice understood in the region of $525 million. Stroll and his investors saved/bought Force India (now Aston) for $117 million in August 2018... #F1 1/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

F1 has a maximum of 24 slots on the calendar, a lot of those are filled for the medium term. That scarcity is important as it drives up the asking price with a FOMO premium. Be great to see a traditional venue return over a soulless new addition. #F1 3/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Domenicali qualified his comments by saying there's a lot to be done and there's nothing imminent but it is a key market, citing the presence of Mercedes and Audi. "I think Germany wants us to think in the medium term if they can come back into the calendar," he said. #F1 2/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

In the Liberty Media Q2 earnings call, Stefano Domenicali said a German GP return 'definitely will happen'. This follows recent comments about potential interest in the event's return, at a time when F1 is seemingly in the market for a potential season finale. #F1 1/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

While Q2 numbers aren't great reading after a record-setting Q1 result, they make sense and aren't disastrous. They reflect the cost of running an event-based business with interests in the Middle East. Real question now is the impact of Qatar and AD being cancelled... #F1 4/4

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Fewer races means fewer opportunities for secondary revenue streams - VIP hospitality, logistics, etc. Some costs also don't scale. FOM has invested in staff and IT systems, driving up some costs YoY. Bahrain will be offset in Q4 with Sepang. #F1 3/4

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

F1 hosted fewer races in Q2 in 2026 vs 2025, five instead of nine. That would have been seven but for the cancellations, so there's some additional shrinkage if you like. FOM revenue is heavily event-linked but there are other influences too. #F1 2/4

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

F1's latest financials make for difficult reading. Revenue down $462m in Q2 alone, operating income down 75% in the same period. There is a huge element of Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GP cancellations in there, but that's not the complete picture. #F1 1/4

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

There are grey areas and overlap between the driving guidelines and International Sporting Code that can introduce confusion. Greater clarity is needed so guidelines for battles in a corner aren't applied to a clash on a straight. #F1 3/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Stewarding will always be somewhat inconsistent because it is a role performed by humans. It's open to interpretation. The driving standards guidelines are intended to minimise that variation, but they can never eliminate it. However, Spa highlighted another issue. #F1 2/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

The FIA will meet with drivers in Hungary to discuss racing guidelines and recent penalties, the Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton Belgian incidents included. It was scheduled before the Spa race but comes at a useful time. #F1 1/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Lots of rumours about Oscar Piastri leaving McLaren. I spoke to the team and several well placed sources yesterday, multiple times, and it all seems to be hot air. Might something happen in future? Sure. But right now it seems much ado about nothing. #F1

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

This is about establishing a precedent so there is a clear legal framework. It’s about defining what 'sporting fairness' actually means in a legal sense. Alpine, Gasly, and Monaco are just the pawns in a much bigger game. My full article is on PlanetF1.com #F1 4/4

planetf1.com

F1 News, Live Race Coverage, Results & Standings | PlanetF1.com

The latest F1 News, results, schedules, standings, stats and analysis from PlanetF1.com. Coverage of every session in winter testing, practice, qualifying and on race day.

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

The International Sporting Code relies on an overarching principle of "sporting fairness." Is it fair Alpine could appeal when others couldn't? Is it fair to strip Gasly's corrected position? This is exactly why McLaren & Red Bull HAVE to take this to the ISC. #F1 3/4

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Stewards were obligated to hear Alpine's right of review. The new evidence (FOM admitting they got the loop measurement wrong) made it completely admissible. It proved Gasly wasn't speeding, forcing the stewards to negate the penalty. That introduced a massive catch-22. #F1 2/4

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

The Monaco pit lane penalty saga is a mess. The failure lies entirely with FOM and the measurement of the first pit lane loop. Everything else is just a consequence—one that has highlighted a massive paradox in the regulations. Let me explain... #F1 1/4

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

BYD's Stella Li has been in the Monaco F1 paddock meeting with Stefano Domenicali and Mohammed Ben Sulayem. It comes amid increasing interest in F1 from the Chinese manufacturer. Li has spoken exclusively with PlanetF1. Full story here: www.planetf1.com/new... #F1

planetf1.com

Major BYD update as F1 and FIA Monaco GP meetings emerge

BYD vice-president Stella Li has met with the FIA and FOM in Monaco, as talks about potential F1 involvement continue.

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

By commenting on it they give it credibility; if they say nothing it implies it's correct, even if it's not. The media's job is find stories, validate the info, and report facts, not pedal (or refute) speculation. PlanetF1 is in the paddock; we are held to account. #F1 3/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

In the rush to be first, fact checking gets forgotten or ignored, and rumour mistaken for factual reporting. In doing so misinformation spreads wildly, and that creates issues. Now, teams are constantly having to address speculation. That's an issue. #F1 2/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Rumours surrounding Esteban Ocon and Valtteri Bottas highlight the disparity between real journalism and social media reporting. The world has changed in the last decade and there is a growing push to be first to publish on social media, but with that comes danger. #F1 1/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Liberty/FOM has done much to secure its financial position. Long term hosting contracts and broadcast agreements provide a strong foundation. Financially, F1 looks strong for the next 5 years, the PGI interest is further evidence of that. #F1 3/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

It shows that, at institutional level, there remains confidence in F1 despite its on track issues. At PGI, Kamal Bhatia run principal asset management and has hundreds of billions in assets under management. There are significant industry figures involved, too. #F1 2/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Filings with the SEC show Principal Global Investors now holds ~3.8% of Liberty Media, specifically the F1 tracking stock. It's a passive holding, there's no influence associated with it, but it's and interesting development. #F1 1/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

This moves F1 towards a 60-40 power split, skewed in favour of the combustion engine. It's the right move, tacit acknowledgement what we've had has been very wrong. The process to get here, however, has been... unusual. #F1 3/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Teams and power unit manufacturers have been involved in this process, which has been ongoing for some time. Final proposals were tabled today and will go to World Motor Sport Council for ratification following a vote from the power unit manufacturers. #F1 2/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Huge news out of the FIA. Changes to F1 engine rules, with increase in combustion power of 50kW via fuel flow increase, and 50kW reduction in energy recovery system. This, a week on from Miami where, heading in, it was a case of analyse the changes voted through in April. #F1 1/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

While ADUO offers to chance to upgrade, it doesn't afford more resources. There is no additional financial element beyond the engine cost cap. But, if you qualify for an ADUO, the cost simply has to be worn - improve the engine and worry about long-term impact later. #F1 3/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

This was meant to be after Round 6, which would be now. First window will now open after Canada. Period 2 will be post-Hungary, and the third after Mexico City. The intent is to equalise without completely flattening the performance differences between engines. #F1 2/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

The ADUO window has been changed by the FIA. With Bahrain and Saudi cancelled, the first ADUO window now opens after 5 races. Power units more than 2 per cent down at that point will get an opportunity to catch up. #F1 1/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Underpinning it all is stable income from promoters and broadcasters; the Sky deal yesterday locking that in for another five years suggests this is also going to roll on for a while. F1 as a business is well insulated from F1 as a sport. #F1 3/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

The growth is explained in part by three races in Q1 2026 vs two in 2025. There is also the usual fee increases, but the Q1 report gives special mention for Standard Chartered's sponsorship. This highlights the strong financial position the sport finds itself in. #F1 2/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

F1 has posted the best Q1 financial results in the sport's history. Revenue of $617m, up from $403m last year. It could have been better too were it not for the cancellation of Bahrain and Saudi. Teams were paid $184m of that in prize money. #F1 1/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

According to FOM: UK & Ireland viewing has increased by 90%, with under-35s up 120%, and female viewership more than doubled. From 2023–2025, viewing has grown by 14%, with a record-breaking 2025 with 162 million viewer hours. Full Story: www.planetf1.com/new... #F1 3/3

planetf1.com

Sky F1 makes major announcement after Miami Grand Prix

Sky F1 has made a major announcement in the aftermath of the F1 2026 Miami Grand Prix, won by Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli.

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

FOM last year generated revenue of about $3.9 billion. Just under a third of that came from television broadcast deals, about $1 billion. Sky UK's current deal is estimated to be worth about £200m and is set to expire at the end of 2029. This is a 5yr extension. #F1 2/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

F1 has renewed its broadcast agreement with Sky in the UK and Italy, the former until 2034 and the latter until 2032. It's another good move, shoring up more of the foundational revenue and insulating FOM from elements like unpopular regulations. #F1 1/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Maximum in quali remains 8 MJ, in the race its 9 MJ with overtake, 8.5 MJ without. Super clipping is expected to be just 2s/lap. The big change is the deployment. There's now defined areas where drivers can use 350 kW, the rest of the time its 250 kW. #F1 2/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

The FIA has clarified maximum recharge rules for Miami. There is no change this weekend, despite what was announced last week re the rule change. While the maximum figure CAN be reduced to 7 MJ (was 8MJ), the FIA has not done that this weekend. #F1 1/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Unless an event promoter offers a truck load of cash ($50m+) I'm confident there will be no replacement event. Plus, the teams have already adjusted and accounted for it. Full story: www.planetf1.com/new... #F1 3/3

planetf1.com

Why F1 doesn't need a second Silverstone race in 2026

Calendar pressures, finances and team realities point to why another Silverstone event is unlikely despite the loss of two events in F1 2026.

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

The lost revenue for Formula One Management is not as significant as it appears, and the impact to the teams is effectively invisible with expected increases elsewhere covering the $110m+ in lost hosting fees. FOM has no minimum broadcast pressure either. #F1 2/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Silverstone has offered to host another grand prix this season. I'm confident in saying it won't happen! While there have been two cancelled races, there is no real pressure or need to replace either Bahrain or Saudi Arabia. #F1 1/3

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Mat Coch @matcoch.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Nikolas Tombazis saying the sport cannot be held hostage by manufacturers highlights that changing dynamic. By relying on manufacturers, F1 is exposed to their whims. It's now strong enough to stand on its own. A byproduct of the cost cap and prize money changes. #F1 3/3

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