As Formula 1’s shrinking number of engine manufacturers accumulate greater political clout, the sport needs a newcomer to dilute their power base.
Dieter Rencken's articles on RaceFans

Dieter Rencken has held full FIA Formula 1 media accreditation since 2000, during which period he has reported from over 300 grands prix, plus other categories such as World Rally Championship, MotoGP, World Endurance Championship, World RallyCross Championship and Formula E for a variety of media outlets. He joined racefans.net as special contributor in 2018. Dieter is recognised as an authority on global motorsport politics and economics. He writes the annual 'What F1 Teams Spend' and F1 earnings guides and his weekly columns provide behind-the-scenes analysis of the sport. In 2012 he first unpicked F1’s previously opaque financial and governance structures, and has been credited with bringing much-needed transparency to F1. He has 'scooped' several of the sport’s biggest news stories, including the Aston Martin/Red Bull Valkyrie project, Haas F1’s formation, Carlos Sainz Jnr's shock move to Toro Rosso, Fernando Alonso’s Daytona and Dakar entries, and, more recently, Canadian Lawrence Stroll’s acquisition of Force India (Racing Point) and his subsequent take-over of Aston Martin.
The year of sprints, ‘the show’ – and rising stock: A political review of the 2021 F1 season
RacingLines
Posted onFormula 1 served up its best title fight for years, added more new races and boomed in America – has it also successfully courted a new manufacturer?
Ferrari’s 2021 recovery puts team on path to “final objective” – Binotto
2022 F1 season
Posted onFerrari team principal Mattia Binotto says the team’s recovery in the 2021 season provides a solid foundation to chase their “final objective” of a world championship.
Leclerc ‘lost 40 points due to bad luck’ – Binotto
2021 F1 season
Posted onCharles Leclerc deserved a better finishing position in the drivers’ championship according to Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto.
The problems of perception the FIA must address after the Abu Dhabi row
RacingLines
Posted onThe controversial end to the Formula 1 title fight in Abu Dhabi shows its rules need clearing up – and it’s time to stop team bosses nagging the race director.
Mick Schumacher will be Ferrari’s reserve driver at 11 races in 2022
2022 F1 season
Posted onMick Schumacher will be Ferrari’s official reserve driver at half of next year’s races, alongside his driving duties for Haas.
Audi tells FIA it intends to confirm F1 entry early next year
2021 F1 season
Posted onAudi intends to confirm its entry to Formula 1 early next year, the manufacturer has advised the sport and its governing body, the FIA.
The new FIA president’s motorsport priorities – and the Hamilton case in his inbox
News Focus
Posted onNew FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem has pledged to increase involvement in grassroots motorsport. But a matter concerning the controversial end to the 2021 F1 season tops his inbox.
New FIA administration to decide over sanction for Hamilton’s prizegiving absence
2021 F1 season
Posted onLewis Hamilton’s failure to attend yesterday’s FIA prizegiving ceremony puts him at risk of a sanction from the sport’s governing body.
Ecclestone criticises Hamilton and Wolff over FIA championship awards absence
2021 F1 Season
Posted onFormer Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone criticised Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff for refusing to attend yesterday’s FIA prizegiving ceremony.
Meet the candidates for FIA president – Mohammed Ben Sulayem
News Focus
Posted onThe FIA will elect a new president tomorrow to replace Jean Todt. Mohammed Ben Sulayem is one of two candidates in the running.
‘We won it on-track and they’ll never take that away from me’ – Verstappen
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onMax Verstappen said he is unconcerned about Mercedes’ potential appeal of race direction decisions during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Verstappen will “hopefully” collect trophy tomorrow if no appeal materialises – Horner
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onRed Bull team principal Christian Horner says he has had no indication from the FIA Max Verstappen will be unable to collect his Formula 1 drivers championship trophy at the governing body’s prizegiving ceremony tomorrow.
Why the budget cap could be F1’s next battleground between Mercedes and Red Bull
RacingLines
Posted onFormula 1 has completed its first season under a budget cap, and in three months’ time we’ll learn how successfully each team stuck to it.
Mercedes decline to participate in FIA champions photoshoot as appeal wait goes on
2021 F1 season
Posted onMercedes has refused to take part in an official FIA photoshoot commemorating the constructors champions of 2021 as the team considers whether to appeal the results of last weekend’s title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Tsunoda made “long journey” to regain confidence for career-best finish
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onYuki Tsunoda says he had a “long journey” from his difficult start to his rookie season to a career-best result last weekend.
Paddock Diary: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix part two
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onFormula 1 may have enjoyed a commercially successful season but the championship came to an acrimonious end in Abu Dhabi, with one team celebrating and another planning an appeal.
Plan to delay Hamilton “worked perfectly” says Perez after praise from Verstappen
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onSergio Perez says he is “extremely happy” to have contributed to team mate Max Verstappen world championship win after holding up Lewis Hamilton in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Race control’s “strange” decision on lapped cars nearly cost me podium – Sainz
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onCarlos Sainz Jnr was one of many drivers who were perplexed by the Safety Car un-lapping procedure towards the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Red Bull ready to settle title fight in law court as Mercedes consider appeal
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onRed Bull are prepared to fight Mercedes every step of the way as their rivals bid to overturn Max Verstappen’s world championship victory.