Motorsport

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.

World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) promoter Eurosport Events has announced that the motor-racing series will race on Germany’s legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in 2015 as part of a new three-year deal.

Former Formula One driver Jarno Trulli has announced he will enter a team into motor-racing’s new Formula E Championship.

Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), the creator and organiser of the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance motor-racing event, has extended a deal with the FIA, motorsport’s global governing body, to stage the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has asked Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone to bring together the motor-racing series’ key stakeholders to discuss its long-term future, amid fears the sport is neglecting fans and sponsors.

Reigning World Rally Championship (WRC) title-holder Volkswagen has made a long-term commitment to the motor-racing series by stating that it will continue to compete for the next five years.

Montreal’s long-running Canadian Grand Prix will retain its place on the Formula One calendar after city authorities announced that an agreement in principal has been reached with the motor-racing series’ chief executive Bernie Ecclestone on a new 10-year race deal.

Formula One motor-racing team McLaren has moved to deny reports than Honda will seek to enhance its forthcoming partnership by acquiring a stake in the British outfit.