Motorsport Beyond F1: Le Mans, WRC, MotoGP, Formula E — 2026-09-12
Ferrari claimed a dramatic victory in the Lone Star Le Mans WEC round after Toyota’s late-race heartbreak, while Marc Márquez and Marco Bezzecchi set the pace in MotoGP pre-qualifying at Misano. In the US, Scott McLaughlin dominated the IndyCar finale at Laguna Seca, and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing confirmed a full-time return to the series for 2027.
Motorsport Beyond F1: Le Mans, WRC, MotoGP, Formula E — 2026-09-12
Top developments
Ferrari Wins WEC Lone Star Le Mans After Toyota’s Late Collapse
The FIA World Endurance Championship returned from its summer break with the fifth round, the Lone Star Le Mans, at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The #50 Ferrari Hypercar secured a strategy-driven victory after Toyota Racing’s leading car suffered a critical failure with only 12 minutes remaining, ending their chance of a maiden win for the TR010 Hybrid. This result throws the Hypercar title fight into chaos, as Toyota had been dominant throughout the race until the final laps.
Bezzecchi and Márquez Lead Misano Pre-Qualifying; Bulega Moves to MotoGP
MotoGP arrived at the Misano World Circuit for Round 14, where Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) set the fastest time in pre-qualifying, edging out Ducati riders Marc and Àlex Márquez. The weekend is overshadowed by major driver market news: Nicolò Bulega has officially signed with the VR46 team for the 2027 MotoGP season, leaving the Aruba.it Racing-Ducati Superbike team at the end of 2026. This move marks a significant promotion from WorldSBK to the premier class prototypes.
McLaughlin Wins IndyCar Finale; Dreyer & Reinbold Returns Full-Time
Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske) won the season-ending IndyCar race at Laguna Seca, securing his third pole of the year and ending a winless streak dating back to 2024. Meanwhile, the 2027 grid saw a major addition as Dreyer & Reinbold Racing confirmed its return to full-time competition, signing Conor Daly to a multi-year deal with Honda engines supplying the team. Additionally, Mick Schumacher has been confirmed to race for Meyer Shank Racing in 2027.
New Dallara IR-28 Chassis Completes First Oval Test
IndyCar has completed a crucial milestone for its future technical regulations, with the new IR-28 Dallara chassis running its first oval tests at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The tests, conducted on Wednesday and Thursday, utilized low-downforce configurations to validate the car's stability and performance on high-speed ovals ahead of its intended debut. This progress ensures the next-generation car remains on schedule for the upcoming seasons.
Local view
Italy (Gazzetta dello Sport / Moto.it): Italian media are heavily focused on the "home" advantage for Aprilia and Ducati at Misano. Gazzetta dello Sport highlights Bezzecchi's speed as a threat to Ducati's dominance, noting that Bagnaia struggled in pre-qualifying (19th place) while Bezzecchi topped the timesheets. The confirmation of Bulega’s move to VR46 is being celebrated as a triumph for Italian talent development, with MotoriNoLimits detailing the emotional separation from his long-time Superbike team.
Spain (Marca / AS): Spanish outlets are analyzing Marc Márquez’s cautious approach to Misano. Marca quotes Márquez stating that Misano will be "a little more complicated" than his recent dominance in Aragón, acknowledging Bezzecchi’s pace. There is also minor controversy reported by AS regarding broadcast graphics featuring Márquez alongside Valentino Rossi, which Márquez criticized as unnecessary distraction from on-track action.
Japan (Autosport Web): Japanese media are expressing disappointment over Toyota’s WEC loss. Autosport Web describes the final moments of the Lone Star Le Mans as a "nightmare" for Toyota, with headlines focusing on the "miracle" it would have taken to recover points after the retirement. The narrative centers on the psychological impact on the Toyota Gazoo Racing team as they head into the final rounds of the championship.
Context & numbers
- WEC Standings: Following the Lone Star Le Mans, the Hypercar championship battle is tighter, with Ferrari’s #50 crew gaining significant ground on the leaders after Toyota’s zero-point finish.
- MotoGP Gap: Marc Márquez sits second in the championship, 19 points behind leader Jorge Martín prior to the Misano weekend.
- IndyCar Title: Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) clinched his fifth IndyCar title one week prior to the Laguna Seca finale, where he finished behind McLaughlin.
- NASCAR Manufacturer Shift: Alpha Prime Racing announced a switch from Chevrolet to Ford for the 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, ending a 34-year streak with GM.
On the radar
- MotoGP Misano Race Weekend: Qualifying, Sprint, and Main Race take place this weekend (Sept 12–13), with Bezzecchi and Márquez expected to be the primary contenders.
- F3 Madrid Finale: Formula 3 heads to Madrid this weekend to crown a new champion, with Freddie Slater struggling in qualifying compared to Taito Kato and Tuukka Taponen.
- Peugeot WEC Lineup: Robert Shwartzman has been confirmed to join Peugeot’s WEC Hypercar program for 2027, following his brief IndyCar stint.
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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