This Week in Motorsport: Spa Shakeups, F2 Penalties & NASCAR Charter Chaos

🟡 1. Alex Dunne Loses Spa Victory After Penalty Blow

The 2025 Formula 2 Feature Race at Spa-Francorchamps delivered all the classic chaos the Belgian circuit is known for — unpredictable weather, bold strategy, and high stakes. Irish phenom Alex Dunne crossed the line first under wet conditions, seemingly clinching a career-defining win.

But in a gut-wrenching post-race twist, officials handed Dunne a 10-second time penalty for a breach of start procedure regulations. The penalty dropped him from first to tenth, a brutal blow not only to his points tally but also to his momentum in the tightly contested F2 title race.

Why it matters:
Dunne is part of McLaren’s junior pipeline, and Spa was his chance to shine under pressure. With only five rounds left, every point matters in the championship—and in his bid for a future F1 seat.

🟠 2. Spa-Francorchamps Faces F1 Calendar Uncertainty

Speaking of Spa: the historic circuit itself might be on borrowed time. Reports surfaced this week that Formula 1 plans to rotate Spa out of the calendar for several seasons—specifically in 2028 and 2030—as Liberty Media continues its push into new global markets like Las Vegas and Madrid.

Though Spa has modernized safety features and amenities, its notorious weather variability and limited commercial appeal have made it vulnerable in today’s F1 ecosystem.

Why it matters:
Spa is one of the most beloved tracks on the calendar, known for corners like Eau Rouge and its deep heritage. Losing it, even periodically, marks a shift away from traditional racing values toward glitzier, sponsor-driven destinations.

🔴 3. NASCAR Charter Shakeup: 23XI & Front Row Denied

On the NASCAR front, a legal bombshell dropped this week as 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports lost their appeal in a high-stakes charter dispute. The court sided with NASCAR’s governing body, leaving both teams without guaranteed Cup Series entries.

This means they’ll operate as “open teams” — facing the risk of not qualifying for races and losing critical revenue from charter-associated benefits.

Why it matters:
Charters are NASCAR’s financial lifeline, akin to NFL franchise rights. Losing one jeopardizes a team's entire business model. For 23XI (co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin), it also complicates the team’s ambitions for growth and long-term competitiveness.

🏁 The Takeaway

From stripped victories in F2 to court drama in NASCAR and legendary tracks on the chopping block, this week’s motorsport news reminds us: nothing is guaranteed in racing. The business side is just as ruthless as what happens on track.

Stay tuned. The second half of the season is heating up fast.

From Reggie @ ShiftKey Motorsports