Electric Cars

Cars

Car Show

Car Maintenance

Racing

English

Racing

No IndyCar Race in Mexico in 2026 Due to FIFA World Cup

Single Slide

IndyCar will not host a race in Mexico during the 2026 season. This decision follows months of discussions and is largely attributed to the scheduling challenges posed by Mexico's co-hosting of the FIFA World Cup that year. The series and local promoters explored various possibilities, but the significant overlap with the global soccer tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, made it impractical to secure a suitable date that would ensure the success and engagement expected for an IndyCar event. While disappointed, both IndyCar leadership and prominent Mexican driver Pato O'Ward express a strong desire to bring the race to Mexico in subsequent years when conditions are more favorable.

IndyCar's decision to forego a 2026 race in Mexico marks a temporary halt to plans for returning to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The series acknowledges the substantial effort made by all parties involved in the negotiations. Despite this setback, the commitment to establishing a long-term presence in Mexico remains. The focus now shifts to future opportunities, aiming to identify a suitable window that allows for optimal planning and execution of a world-class racing spectacle, ensuring maximum fan and sponsor engagement.

Scheduling Conflicts and Strategic Postponement

IndyCar has confirmed that a planned race in Mexico for the 2026 season will not proceed as initially hoped. The primary factor behind this decision is the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which Mexico is set to co-host during the summer of 2026. The prestigious global soccer tournament presents a significant logistical hurdle, limiting available dates and resources that would be crucial for successfully organizing an IndyCar event. Despite considerable efforts and ongoing negotiations with local stakeholders and the venue's operating group, the series concluded that ensuring a high-quality event would be too challenging under the prevailing circumstances.

Mark Miles, President and CEO of Penske Entertainment Corp., articulated that while considerable progress was achieved in the extensive discussions, the overwhelming impact of the World Cup made it difficult to guarantee a successful race given the limited summer window. The series aims to deliver an exceptional experience for fans and sponsors alike, and felt that compromising on these aspects was not an option. Therefore, a strategic decision was made to postpone the Mexican event, allowing for a more opportune time in the future when all necessary conditions for a world-class race weekend can be fully met. IndyCar officials emphasized their continued commitment to exploring future opportunities for a Mexican race.

Pato O'Ward's Endorsement and Future Aspirations

Mexican driver Pato O'Ward has publicly supported IndyCar's decision to postpone the 2026 Mexico race, despite his strong personal desire to compete in front of his home crowd. O'Ward, who races for Arrow McLaren, acknowledged the importance of establishing a sustainable and impactful event rather than rushing into a suboptimal situation. His endorsement highlights a shared vision within the IndyCar community to ensure that any future race in Mexico is meticulously planned and executed to achieve lasting success and resonate deeply with local fans and partners.

O'Ward's continued advocacy underscores the mutual interest in bringing IndyCar racing back to Mexico. He stated, \"No one wants a race in Mexico more than me,\" emphasizing his dedication to the cause. He further articulated that creating an "incredible event that is built to last" requires careful consideration of timing and support from both fans and sponsors. This sentiment aligns with IndyCar's commitment to finding the "right opportunity" for a future race, ensuring that when the series eventually returns to Mexico, it will be a monumental and well-received occasion that truly celebrates motorsport in the country.

Rast Dominates DTM Red Bull Ring, Seizes Championship Lead
Racing

Rast Dominates DTM Red Bull Ring, Seizes Championship Lead

FIA Overturns Sainz's F1 Dutch GP Penalty Following Williams' Appeal
Racing

FIA Overturns Sainz's F1 Dutch GP Penalty Following Williams' Appeal

Rast Dominates Red Bull Ring, Seizes DTM Championship Lead
Racing

Rast Dominates Red Bull Ring, Seizes DTM Championship Lead

Racing

Bezzecchi Claims San Marino MotoGP Sprint Victory After Marquez's Costly Fall

Single Slide

In a dramatic turn of events at the San Marino Grand Prix, Marco Bezzecchi, riding for Aprilia, secured his first-ever MotoGP sprint race victory. This triumph came as a direct consequence of a crucial error by Marc Marquez, who crashed out of contention shortly after briefly seizing the lead. The incident unfolded during an intense duel for supremacy on the Misano circuit, reshaping the outcome of the half-distance contest.

The race commenced with Alex Marquez making an impressive start from the front row, but polesitter Bezzecchi swiftly navigated his Aprilia into the lead by Turn 1. Marc Marquez, demonstrating his renowned aggressive style, outmaneuvered his younger sibling to claim second position, having already bypassed Fabio Quartararo's Yamaha.

For several laps, the six-time world champion relentlessly pursued Bezzecchi, who initially managed to maintain a comfortable gap. However, on the fifth lap, the Aprilia rider experienced a wide exit at Turn 14, allowing Marquez to close in significantly. Capitalizing on this opportunity, Marquez executed a decisive overtake on the inside at Turn 6, taking the lead for the first time in the sprint. Yet, his tenure at the front was short-lived, as he unexpectedly lost the front end of his Ducati at Turn 15 on the very same lap, bringing an abrupt end to his race.

This unforeseen retirement marked a rare and high-profile crash for Marquez, snapping his remarkable streak of eight consecutive sprint victories. With Marquez out of the picture, Bezzecchi reassumed control of the race. Alex Marquez then moved back into second place aboard his Gresini GP24, maintaining a competitive pace against the leader.

The two riders engaged in a tight contest for the subsequent laps, but Bezzecchi gradually extended his advantage to over a second with just three laps remaining. Despite a late charge from the younger Marquez, who narrowed the gap to six tenths, Bezzecchi expertly re-accelerated to secure his second career sprint win. This victory was particularly noteworthy as it represented the first sprint win for a non-Ducati rider since Aleix Espargaro's triumph for Aprilia at the Catalan Grand Prix in May 2024.

Behind Alex Marquez, Fabio di Giannantonio of VR46 claimed a commendable third place, earning consecutive sprint podiums. Franco Morbidelli, his teammate, followed closely in fourth. Pedro Acosta delivered a solid performance for KTM, finishing fifth despite a qualifying crash. Fermin Aldeguer, also from Gresini, climbed from tenth to sixth, outpacing Luca Marini on the leading Honda and reigning champion Jorge Martin on the second factory Aprilia. Raul Fernandez from Trackhouse Racing secured the final points-scoring position in ninth place. Conversely, two-time MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia of the factory Ducati team endured a challenging sprint, falling from eighth to thirteenth after a poor start.

The San Marino Grand Prix sprint race delivered an exciting display of talent and unexpected turns, with Marco Bezzecchi emerging victorious. His strategic riding and the unfortunate fall of Marc Marquez highlighted the unpredictable nature of MotoGP racing. This win signifies Bezzecchi's growing prowess in the premier class and underscores Aprilia's increasing competitiveness.

See More
Bezzecchi Secures Pole at San Marino MotoGP Amidst Intense Qualifying
Racing

Bezzecchi Secures Pole at San Marino MotoGP Amidst Intense Qualifying

WRC Rally Chile: Fourmaux Takes the Lead as Tanak Retires
Racing

WRC Rally Chile: Fourmaux Takes the Lead as Tanak Retires

Laurent Mekies' Impact on Red Bull F1 Team Applauded by Helmut Marko
Racing

Laurent Mekies' Impact on Red Bull F1 Team Applauded by Helmut Marko

Racing

MotoGP San Marino GP: Marco Bezzecchi Dominates After Marc Marquez's Setback

Slide 51
Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 3
Slide 4
Slide 5
Slide 6
Slide 7
Slide 8
Slide 9
Slide 10
Slide 11
Slide 12
Slide 13
Slide 14
Slide 15
Slide 16
Slide 17
Slide 18
Slide 19
Slide 20
Slide 21
Slide 22
Slide 23
Slide 24
Slide 25
Slide 26
Slide 27
Slide 28
Slide 29
Slide 30
Slide 31
Slide 32
Slide 33
Slide 34
Slide 35
Slide 36
Slide 37
Slide 38
Slide 39
Slide 40
Slide 41
Slide 42
Slide 43
Slide 44
Slide 45
Slide 46
Slide 47
Slide 48
Slide 49
Slide 50
Slide 51
Slide 1

Marco Bezzecchi, representing Aprilia, secured his first-ever MotoGP sprint victory at the San Marino Grand Prix, capitalising on a dramatic turn of events involving Marc Marquez. The race, held at Misano, saw an intense battle for supremacy, culminating in Bezzecchi's breakthrough performance. This victory not only marks a personal milestone for Bezzecchi but also signifies a notable achievement for Aprilia, breaking Ducati's dominant streak in sprint competitions.

The sprint race unfolded with immediate action as Alex Marquez initially surged ahead from the middle of the front row. However, pole-sitter Bezzecchi swiftly reclaimed his lead at Turn 1, demonstrating his strong intent from the outset. Marc Marquez, known for his aggressive riding style, skillfully navigated around his younger sibling, Alex, to secure second place at Turn 2, having already overtaken Fabio Quartararo's Yamaha.

Marc Marquez then launched a relentless pursuit of Bezzecchi, who, for a period, managed to control the gap at the front. The dynamic shifted on lap five when Bezzecchi slightly misjudged Turn 14, allowing the world championship leader, Marc Marquez, to close in. Seizing the moment, Marquez executed a decisive move at Turn 6, propelling his factory Ducati into the lead. Yet, his advantage was short-lived. On the very same lap, in a rare miscalculation, Marquez lost control of his Ducati at Turn 15, resulting in a crash that ended his race and, remarkably, his impressive streak of eight consecutive sprint victories.

With Marc Marquez out of contention, Bezzecchi resumed the lead, while Alex Marquez moved into second place on his Gresini GP24. The two riders engaged in a tight contest over the subsequent laps, but Bezzecchi steadily extended his lead to over a second with just three laps remaining. Despite a late charge from Alex Marquez, who reduced the deficit to six tenths, Bezzecchi maintained his composure and pace, ultimately securing his second career sprint victory. This triumph was particularly significant as it marked the first time a non-Ducati rider had won a sprint race since May 2024, when Aleix Espargaro claimed victory for Aprilia at the Catalan Grand Prix.

Rounding out the podium, Fabio di Giannantonio of VR46 secured third place, marking his second consecutive sprint podium finish. Franco Morbidelli, his teammate, finished closely behind in fourth, while Pedro Acosta of KTM achieved a commendable fifth place despite an earlier crash in qualifying. Further down the field, Gresini's Fermin Aldeguer climbed from tenth on the grid to finish sixth, ahead of Luca Marini's Honda and the reigning champion Jorge Martin on his factory Aprilia. Raul Fernandez from Trackhouse Racing secured the final points-scoring position in ninth. Conversely, two-time MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia experienced a forgettable sprint, falling from eighth to thirteenth after a poor start and continuing to drop positions. Fabio Quartararo also retired from the race after crashing from fourth place on lap five, while Augusto Fernandez completed the race in eighteenth on his V4-powered M1.

This victory for Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia at the San Marino Grand Prix highlights a significant shift in the competitive landscape of MotoGP sprint races, interrupting Ducati's recent dominance and showcasing Bezzecchi's growing prowess on the track.

See More