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Mat Coch @matcoch

PlanetF1.com Editor. Explaining the politics, finance and commercial machinery of F1.

Joined March 2009
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584 Photos and videos
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: planetf1.com/news/byd-f1-fia… #F1

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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An important element of the FIA announcement today is that it's not yet a done deal. The change in engine rules for next year must go through the Power Unit Advisory Committee, likely after input from the Technical Advisory Committee. #F1
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Considerations there are what does it mean for the chassis? Fuel cell changes, battery size, weight, packaging, chassis distribution? It's a potentially huge impact for a comparatively small change so needs to be fully considered. #F1
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But FIA says it was unanimous so we must for now assume best efforts in working through that to make it happen. It's also acknowledged that the 2026 rules are fundamentally flawed, a point I'm certain is unanimous. #F1
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What does it actually mean to “see air” in F1? We've launched a new video series, the Tech Check Up with @dr_obbs to explore exactly that, starting with Adrian Newey. Episode 1 is live: planetf1.com/features/f1-aer… #F1

F1 aerodynamics: How to see air like Adrian Newey

F1 aerodynamics have been shrouded in mystery, until now. Dr Obbs peels back the curtain and teaches you how to see air like Adrian Newey.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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Just going to correct myself here; Bahrain and Saudi fall into Q2 so won't show up on Q1 report.
Mat Coch
@matcoch
May 7
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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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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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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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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