Formula 1 and teams lock in future with new Concorde Deal

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Formula 1’s future has been set in stone, with the announcement that all 11 teams set to race in the 2026 World Championship and beyond have signed the sport’s crucial new Concorde Agreement.

The all-important commercial covenant binds the teams and Liberty Media, F1’s commercial rights holder, for the next five years according to motorsport website RACER, signaling a robust commitment to Grand Prix racing’s soaring trajectory.

With Stefano Domenicali’s tenure as CEO freshly extended, the agreement – of which new entrant Cadillac F1 is a signatory – ushers in an era of economic stability and shared ambition.

“Formula 1 can confirm that all teams have signed the 2026 Concorde Commercial Agreement, which secures the long-term economic strength of the sport,” an F1 statement read.

“Formula 1 has never been in a stronger position and all stakeholders have seen positive benefits and significant growth. We thank all the teams for their engagement during this process to reach the best outcome for the sport.

“The 2026 Concorde Governance Agreement will be finalized in due course.”

Indeed, while the commercial terms are locked in, the governance chapter of the 2026 Concorde Agreement remains a work in progress, poised for finalization at a later date.

Challenges on the Horizon

The timing is critical. With FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem facing a general election later this year, the signed commercial deal strips him of a key bargaining chip.

The previous Concorde Agreement, inked in 2021 under Jean Todt, left a blueprint Ben Sulayem hoped to reshape for the FIA’s benefit.

Now, with the teams and F1 presenting a united front, the governing body must navigate a tougher path to assert its influence over governance terms. Cadillac’s arrival, greenlit by both F1 and the FIA, only amplifies the stakes.

As F1 rides a wave of unprecedented popularity, this agreement cements a foundation for growth – but the battle for control is far from over.

The paddock’s eyes now turn to the governance talks, where the sport’s power dynamics will face their next test.

Read also: Domenicali extends tenure as F1 CEO for five more years

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.