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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.

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.