Ferrari has the Winning Strategy (just not in F1)🏎️
Plus why is a lawyer suing Nick Kyrgios and which football manager just signed his son?
This year, the words ‘Ferrari’ and ‘Strategy’ have often been used in a negative tone.
‘Wow Ferrari really f*cked up the strategy today.’ is a phrase that most F1 Twitter accounts probably have saved in their drafts before every race.
While the F1 team strategists may be busy thinking of new ways to DNF Charles Leclerc, those that advise the main Ferrari car company are actually doing a good job.
In fact, since going public in 2015, the value of the Ferrari stock has increased by more than 350%.
Meanwhile, most other car companies are struggling to remain profitable in the face of new environmental regulations, semi-conductor shortages…oh and a global pandemic.
Talking of Ferrari and profits, the company makes €69 thousand in profit on every single car sold (24%.) In contrast, VW makes just €2 thousand per car sold (8%.)
How has Ferrari achieved such incredible figures in the face of numerous crises?
You will just have to watch the video to find out… one small hint, it has something to do with banning Floyd Mayweather!
🍎 Sports Business Bites
🏎 While Ferrari may not need F1, they probably have no plans to leave the series. The same cannot be said for some of the drivers.
Fan favourite driver, and star of Drive to Survive, Daniel Ricciardo has announced that he will not be racing with Mclaren next season.
The Australian has been underperforming this season and there had long been speculation that he would be replaced by Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri.
The decision to axe Ricciardo was not cheap for Mclaren, with team boss Zak Brown confirming that they had to write a ‘big cheque’ to end the contract one year early. Some reports suggest Ricciardo received around $25 million.
Ricciardo’s future in F1 is uncertain, although there is a chance he could take the seat at Alpine that was just vacated by Alonso (and publicly rejected by Piastri.)
Drivers are not the only ones at risk. The contract between F1 and the famous Spa circuit in Belgium expires this year. Fans and drivers alike are calling for the legendary track to remain on the calendar but there are reports that bosses would like to replace it with a more lucrative new circuit. Currently Spa “only” pays $22M per year to host the race, newer tracks generally pay around $50-55M per year.
🇩🇪 Ferrari will also have some new competition in 2026 with German car maker Audi confirming that they will join the sport as a power unit supplier.
This is surprising considering how Audi’s parent company VW has previously come out and said that they will not be participating in any form of combustion motorsport as a direct result of attempts to reduce carbon emissions.
Luckily, the FIA recently changed its engine rules for 2026 and will be introducing new power units which utilise a mixture of electric power and 100% sustainable fuel.
Audi is not the only VW-linked company that will be competing in F1 from 2026. There are reports circulating that Porsche is set to enter into an agreement with Red Bull to take over the development of their engines. With Audi already announcing their decision, we can expect Porsche to do the same relatively soon.
Outside of the world of Formula 1, here are some of the best stories we found this week…
🎾 🍷 Do you remember this moment from the Wimbledon final?
Anna Palus, a medical lawyer originally from Poland, was temporarily ejected from the Wimbledon Grand Slam final after Kyrgios told the umpire she had '700 drinks'. She claims she only had two.
Now Palus has decided to try and clear her name by instigating a defamation lawsuit against Kyrgios.
“Not only did this cause considerable harm on the day, resulting in my temporary removal from the arena, but Mr. Kyrgios’s false allegation was broadcast to, and read by, millions around the world, causing me and my family very substantial damage and distress.” explained Palus in her complaint.
This brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘You’ve been served.’
⚽️ 👨👦 Inter Miami Manager Phil Neville has just signed his own Son as a first-team player.
Harvey Neville, who was previously in the junior set-up of Valencia when his dad was the assistant there, has been handed a professional contract at the club until 2024.
'Harvey has developed well over these last two seasons with Inter Miami CF II. We're pleased with his progress as a young player in our system and feel his versatility will offer us cover in a number of areas,' explained Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson.
While we are sure his connections with those in charge helped a little bit, this isn’t the most unexpected thing we have learned about the Neville family this week…