Motorsport Beyond F1: Le Mans, WRC, MotoGP, Formula E — 2026-09-26
A dramatic week beyond F1: Alpine inherits WEC Fuji pole after qualifying is rained off, Dakar 2027 organisers face alarm following the WRC's Saudi rally suspension, and MotoGP confirms a landmark 22-race 2027 calendar ahead of its 850cc technical reset. Meanwhile IndyCar and Super GT both wrap up significant sporting off-track updates.
Motorsport Beyond F1: Le Mans, WRC, MotoGP, Formula E — 2026-09-26
Top developments
WEC Fuji qualifying cancelled, Alpine on pole
Qualifying for the 6 Hours of Fuji was cancelled due to poor weather on Saturday, meaning the #36 Alpine will start from pole position at round 6 of the FIA WEC. The call directly shapes a crucial round for both Hypercar manufacturers' and drivers' title pictures, with home hero Toyota denied any chance to claim top spot on its own soil. The race goes ahead with the grid set by championship/previous-session order.
Alpine drops da Costa and Makowiecki for Fuji
Alpine Endurance Team has confirmed a driver lineup change for the Fuji race, dropping Antonio Félix da Costa and Frédéric Makowiecki in favour of a two-driver strategy, a notable strategic shift in the middle of the endurance season. It's a signal of how tightly WEC teams are now managing driver quotas and championship math.
MotoGP unveils 22-race 2027 calendar
MotoGP has released its 2027 calendar: 22 Grands Prix running from the season opener in Thailand (March 5-7) to Valencia (November 26-28), all under the new 850cc technical era. Marca reports four Spanish races plus new venues including Buenos Aires and a new street-style Australian GP in Adelaide, with Hungary rotating out of the European leg.
Dakar 2027 "at a crossroads" after WRC Saudi suspension
MARCA reports that the Dakar 2027 is in crisis talks following the suspension of the Saudi Arabia rally on the WRC calendar; competitors are demanding answers and a plan B, with one participant quoted: "Estamos, literalmente, cagados." The fallout puts significant pressure on Dakar's own Saudi venue planning for January.
Super GT confirms eight-round return and revised success weights
SUPER GT's 2026 calendar returns to eight rounds (from seven), with the series confirming revised points and success-weight ballast on board for rounds 7 and 8, a significant sporting rule tweak late in the title fight. Round 6 at SUGO (September 20), the SUGO GT 300km RACE on a wet/dry track, already produced a surprise GT500 winner in the #17 car.
Local view
Italian media are heavily focused on the 2027 MotoGP reset: Quotidiano Motori details the full 22-GP calendar from Thailand to Valencia with winter test dates, while GPOne debates the double-qualification format question and warns "44 gare restano una follia" over the 44-race weekend load. Gazzetta dello Sport also spotlights Cremona, where Niccolò Bulega arrives close to sealing the Superbike world title this weekend.
In Japan, Autosport Web (as-web.jp) is providing wall-to-wall Fuji WEC coverage, including the official starting grid following qualifying cancellation, and notes the Super GT success-weight changes. Japanese fans are also treated to Toyota's Fuji paddock display of its Le Mans-winning car and new GR GT road supercar.
Context & numbers
- 2027 MotoGP season: 22 Grands Prix, four in Spain, new Adelaide street venue; Thailand opener March 5-7, Valencia finale November 26-28.
- Super GT 2026: back to 8 rounds, with altered points and success-weight ballast for rounds 7-8.
- WEC round 6 of the 2026 season is underway at Fuji, where the #36 Alpine starts on pole after qualifying cancellation.
On the radar
- 6 Hours of Fuji race result (Sunday) — a key round for Toyota's home title push after missing out on pole.
- MotoGP's late-2026 Asian leg begins in Japan on October 2-4, per Sky Sport's calendar guide.
- SBK Cremona: a Race 1 + sprint win would make Niccolò Bulega mathematically world champion.
- Dakar 2027 plan B discussions: watch Saudi venue confirmation or alternate routing after WRC-Saudi suspension fallout (rumoured alternative venues unconfirmed).
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.
Powered by
