Motorsport Beyond F1: Le Mans, WRC, MotoGP, Formula E — 2026-09-13

Top developments

Márquez cuts title deficit in Misano Sprint

On September 12, Marc Márquez (Ducati) won the MotoGP Sprint race at Misano, attacking from the start to hold off Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi and championship leader Jorge Martín. The victory was Márquez’s 21st career Sprint win and reduces Martín’s lead in the World Championship to 14 points with only two rounds remaining before the overseas swing. Bezzecchi also secured pole position for the main race, setting a new track record at his home circuit.

Toyota heartbreak as Ferrari takes WEC Lone Star victory

In the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Lone Star Le Mans round at Circuit of the Americas, Toyota suffered a catastrophic failure just 12 minutes from the finish while leading, allowing the #50 Ferrari to take the win. The result marks Ferrari’s first victory of the 2026 season and throws the Hypercar title battle into chaos. The Japanese press highlighted the "miracle" of Toyota finishing on points after four penalties, contrasting sharply with their earlier dominance.

NASCAR team switches manufacturers after 34-year streak

Alpha Prime Racing confirmed it will switch from Chevrolet to Ford for the 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season, ending a 34-year relationship with GM. This move signals a significant shift in manufacturer alignment for the upcoming season, impacting technical partnerships and sponsorship deals within the series.

IndyCar viewership rises under FOX Sports

FOX Sports reported an average of 1,681,000 viewers per race for the 2027 IndyCar season, representing a 23% increase over the previous year. This growth underscores the successful return of the series to broadcast television, with the leading broadcast of the season attracting significant audience numbers.

Super Formula heads to Fuji for season finale

The 2026 Super Formula Championship will decide its title at Fuji Speedway from October 9–11. The final two rounds (Rounds 9 and 10) will determine the annual champion, with the series returning to the iconic track that has hosted the season finale for several years.

Local view

Italian media is buzzing about Marco Bezzecchi’s home performance, with Quotidiano.net describing his pole position as "Super Bez" dominating the qualifying session ahead of three Ducati teams. In Spain, Marca highlights Marc Márquez’s aggressive first-lap move as the decisive factor in his Sprint victory, noting he has now reduced the gap to Jorge Martín to a manageable margin with limited races remaining. Japanese outlet Autosport Web focused heavily on the emotional toll of the WEC result, describing the Toyota team's reaction to the late retirement as a "nightmare" despite the overall competitiveness of their package.

Context & numbers

• MotoGP Championship Gap: 14 points between leader Jorge Martín and second-place Marc Márquez after the Misano Sprint.
• IndyCar Viewership Growth: +23% year-over-year average viewership for FOX Sports broadcasts in 2027.
• WEC Standings Impact: The Lone Star Le Mans result marks Ferrari’s first win of the 2026 season, significantly altering the Hypercar manufacturer and driver rankings.

On the radar

• Super Formula Finale: October 9–11 at Fuji Speedway will crown the 2026 champion.
• MotoGP Title Battle: With only two European rounds left before the Asian swing, every point in San Marino and potentially Austria is critical for Márquez and Martín.
• WEC Calendar Shift: The final two rounds of the WEC season have been moved to Barcelona and Monza, replacing the originally planned Middle Eastern events.