Motorsport Beyond F1: Le Mans, WRC, MotoGP, Formula E — 2026-09-19
The 2026 motorsport season enters its final stretch with the FIM Endurance World Championship deciding its title at the Bol d'Or this weekend, while Marc Márquez leads MotoGP into the Austrian GP. Meanwhile, the FIA and ACO have officially denied rumors of a WEC split, confirming their partnership through 2027, and IndyCar teams are solidifying 2027 lineups ahead of the season finale.
Motorsport Beyond F1: Le Mans, WRC, MotoGP, Formula E — 2026-09-19
Top developments
EWC Title Decided at Bol d'Or
The 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship concludes this weekend with the 89th running of the Bol d'Or at Circuit Paul Ricard. BMW secured pole position for the final round, with the #37 machine leading a BMW 1-2 and setting a new lap record, while Suzuki’s #12 qualified third. Six teams remain in mathematical contention for the title in this 24-hour race, which serves as the fourth and final round of the campaign.
decider across a gruelling 24-hour marathon. Here is everything you need to know about it.
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FIA and ACO Confirm WEC Partnership Through 2027
The FIA and Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) have jointly issued a statement denying rumors of a split in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Both organizations confirmed that their existing agreement remains valid until the end of 2027, dismissing claims that WEC would require a new promoter next season. While questions about the longer-term relationship beyond 2027 remain unanswered, this confirmation stabilizes the championship’s governance structure for the upcoming endurance seasons.
Márquez Leads MotoGP into Austria
Marc Márquez has taken the championship lead in MotoGP following his victory at the San Marino GP, where he achieved his fourth full weekend win of the year. He now trails by zero points but leads Jorge Martín due to a higher number of victories. As the series moves to the Red Bull Ring for the Austrian GP, Márquez stated, "The leader is the favorite," acknowledging the pressure of defending the top spot against rivals like Martín and Pecco Bagnaia.
IndyCar Teams Finalize 2027 Lineups
IndyCar’s "silly season" is active as teams confirm driver movements for 2027 ahead of the Laguna Seca finale. Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (DRR) announced it will return to full-time competition in 2027 with Conor Daly driving a Honda-powered car, marking the team's first full season since 2012. Additionally, Mick Schumacher has been signed by Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) for the 2027 season, completing their lineup after a strong rookie year.
Local view
Italian media is heavily focused on the proposed changes to the MotoGP format, with outlets like GPOne and Formulapassion discussing the potential introduction of separate qualifying sessions for Sprint races starting in 2027. The proposal aims to align MotoGP more closely with Formula 1’s sprint format but has raised concerns among some commentators about increasing the physical and mental load on riders who already face 22 race weekends.
In Japan, Autosport Web is highlighting Toyota’s preparations for the WEC Fuji 6 Hours, noting that Toyota Racing will display the Le Mans-winning car and trophy at the event. This comes after Toyota missed a win at Lone Star Le Mans due to penalties, making the home race at Fuji critical for their season narrative.
Context & numbers
The 2026 IndyCar Manufacturers' Championship has been won by Honda, securing its 12th open-wheel title. Honda’s dominance was fueled by success on street circuits and an Indianapolis 500 victory, ending a drought for the manufacturer in the overall standings.
In the FIM Endurance World Championship, the Bol d'Or grid features 56 bikes, with six teams still mathematically capable of winning the title. The race is a 24-hour marathon, testing both rider stamina and mechanical reliability to the limit.
On the radar
- WEC Fuji 6 Hours: The next round of the FIA WEC takes place September 25–27 at Fuji Speedway, where Toyota will look to bounce back from a difficult run in the Americas.
- MotoGP Format Changes: Discussions continue regarding the introduction of two qualifying sessions per weekend in MotoGP starting 2027, a move that could significantly alter race weekend dynamics.
- Super GT SUGO: The Super GT season continues this weekend with Round 6 at Sportsland SUGO, a key race for the championship standings in both GT500 and GT300 classes.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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