Motorsport Beyond F1: Le Mans, WRC, MotoGP, Formula E — 2026-10-23
Toyota has secured the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Manufacturers' title with a dominant 1-2 finish at the 6 Hours of Barcelona, while the MotoGP paddock prepares for the final races of the season at Phillip Island amidst driver controversies and calendar changes. In the US, IndyCar is set to announce major calendar shifts for 2027, including the removal of Nashville Superspeedway, as the driver market reaches its final stages.
Motorsport Beyond F1: Le Mans, WRC, MotoGP, Formula E — 2026-10-23
Top developments
Toyota Clinches WEC Manufacturers' Title in Barcelona
On October 18, Toyota secured the FIA World Endurance Championship Manufacturers' title after the #8 Toyota GR010 Hybrid, driven by Ryo Hirakawa, Sébastien Buemi, and Brendon Hartley, took victory at the 6 Hours of Barcelona. The win led a 1-2 finish for the Japanese manufacturer, mathematically clinching the crown with one round remaining in the season. Manthey Porsche claimed the LMGT3 class victory, marking their first win in that category for the 2026 campaign.
MotoGP: Márquez Leads Championship Battle at Phillip Island
The MotoGP season enters its final phase with the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island, where Marc Márquez leads Jorge Martín by just two points in the championship standings. Marco Bezzecchi, fresh from a victory in Indonesia, sits 46 points behind the leader. The event marks the final race at Phillip Island before the series moves to Adelaide in 2027.
IndyCar Announces Major 2027 Calendar Changes
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is expected to officially announce its 2027 calendar on Friday, October 23, confirming the removal of the Nashville Superspeedway race. Reports indicate that the Washington D.C. street circuit may also be dropped, while a potential race in Barcelona remains under discussion. Additionally, the driver market "silly season" is concluding, with four remaining seats across three teams nearing closure.
Super GT: STANLEY HRC Prelude Wins at Autopolis
In Japan, the #100 STANLEY HRC PRELUDE-GT won the GT500 class at the Super GT Round 7 at Autopolis on October 18, securing their second win of the season. The #96 K-tunes RC F GT3 took the GT300 class victory. The race significantly reshuffled the championship points standings heading into the final rounds.
Local view
Italian Media (Moto.it, Gazzetta dello Sport): Italian press is heavily focused on the MotoGP championship battle, highlighting Marc Márquez's dominance and Pecco Bagnaia's struggles. Bagnaia, who qualified 14th, expressed optimism despite a difficult Friday, stating, "It's better to be optimistic and wrong than pessimistic and right". There is also significant coverage of the "Qatar GP" controversy, where riders are reportedly divided on safety guarantees for the upcoming Middle Eastern race.
Japanese Media (Autosport Web, TOM'S Racing): Japanese outlets celebrated Toyota's WEC title, with TGR team principal Kamui Kobayashi expressing excitement for the final round where Toyota's two cars will battle it out. In Super GT, local coverage focused on the penalty imposed on the popular au TOM'S team, which finished 8th despite a strong pace, allowing STANLEY to take the win.
Spanish Media (Marca, AS): Spanish media is analyzing Marc Márquez's potential retirement, with former champion Marco Melandri suggesting Márquez might retire if he wins his 10th title. Coverage also details the 2027 Dakar Rally plans, which will feature 12 stages in Morocco and a prologue in Europe.
Context & numbers
- MotoGP Standings: Marc Márquez leads Jorge Martín by 2 points; Marco Bezzecchi is 3rd, 46 points back.
- WEC Title: Toyota is the 2026 Manufacturers' Champion; the #8 Toyota crew (Hirakawa/Buemi/Hartley) leads the Drivers' Championship.
- IndyCar Calendar: Nashville Superspeedway is confirmed out for 2027; the official 2027 schedule release is set for October 23.
- Dakar 2027: Proposed route includes 12 stages in Morocco with a European prologue.
On the radar
- IndyCar 2027 Calendar Release: The official announcement of the 2027 schedule, including potential Barcelona inclusion, is due October 23.
- MotoGP Qatar GP Safety Talks: Riders continue to debate safety guarantees for the Qatar Grand Prix, with reports of 16 out of 22 riders being opposed to the current setup.
- Super GT Final Round: The championship battle moves to its final stages following the Autopolis race, with points standings updated.
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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