Mercedes won the first six races of the Formula 1 season but have taken only two victories in the following six rounds. Their qualifying advantage over Ferrari has shrunk from 0.453 seconds per lap to 0.163 seconds, whil…
#Motorsport
This week in Motorsport · updated Wed Oct 07 2026
Motorsport experienced significant developments across multiple series this week. General Motors achieved a major milestone by securing dual manufacturer championships in IMSA racing through its Cadillac and Chevrolet divisions. Meanwhile, driver transitions shaped multiple championships, with Jeb Burton joining NASCAR's RSS Racing and Mike Conway retiring from endurance racing, creating gaps in competitive lineups. Formula 1 teams and drivers continued diversifying beyond racing, launching region-specific merchandise collections ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix and expanding lifestyle brands into Asian markets. Regulatory matters remained central to competition, with Red Bull navigating power unit restrictions and Fernando Alonso's conceptual track design encountering compliance obstacles.
AI-written weekly briefing drawn from this topic's recent stories.
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Mercedes' early-season edge fades as rivals close gap
Bastianini to join Trackhouse Aprilia for 2027 MotoGP season
Enea Bastianini will leave Tech3 KTM after the 2026 season to ride for Trackhouse Racing on Aprilia machinery. He signed a two-year deal with the team, which has been a front-runner in 2026. The move aims to give Bastian…
McLaren closes gap as Mercedes' F1 dominance wavers
At the Dutch Grand Prix, Mercedes secured a double podium but Lando Norris overtook Kimi Antonelli to win, finishing 11.5 seconds ahead. Antonelli struggled with hard tires and a virtual safety car disrupted their strate…
Palou's Rough Day at Freedom 250 Doesn't Derail Championship Lead
Alex Palou finished 20th at the Freedom 250 after a series of mishaps, including wall contact, a spin, and a pit-lane penalty. Despite the poor result, he maintains a 91-point lead over race winner Kyle Kirkwood in the I…
Norris wins Dutch GP, cuts into Antonelli's championship lead
Lando Norris won the Dutch Grand Prix, overtaking Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton to secure his second consecutive victory. The reigning champion now trails Antonelli by 83 points but believes he is performing better t…
Trump's D.C. Grand Prix Draws Criticism for Excess and Airport Shutdown
President Trump hosted a Grand Prix race in Washington D.C. last weekend, which included shutting down an airport for flyovers. Critics have called the event excessive and tone-deaf. The spectacle drew mixed reactions.
Davenport Speedway crowns season champions on Monday
Season Championship Night at Davenport Speedway takes place Monday, Aug. 24, with track champions decided in six classes. Local drivers are well represented in IMCA divisions, with Spencer Diercks among those competing.
Daily Sports Newsletter Highlights Kirkwood's Victory and More
The newsletter covers Kirkwood's historic Freedom 250 win, along with Jerry Jones' situation with Micah Parsons, Curt Cignetti's jab at the SEC, and the Bears' ambitious goals. It also includes other sports news from aro…
Kirkwood Seeks Broader Success Beyond Street-Course Wins
Kyle Kirkwood won the inaugural Freedom 250 on the streets of Washington, his sixth street-course victory. The Andretti Global driver wants to prove he can win on ovals and road courses as well. He currently sits second …
Norris dominates Dutch GP for victory
Lando Norris secured a victory at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, adding to his season's wins. The race results have been released, showing Norris ahead of the field. This performance continues his strong campaign in For…
Riggs captures NASCAR Truck Series win at New Hampshire
Layne Riggs took the checkered flag in Saturday's NASCAR Truck Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The victory adds to his season's success on the circuit. Full results from the event are now available.
Blaney Defends New Hampshire Title with Gritty Victory
Ryan Blaney won the Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the second straight year, overcoming a challenging pit stop and shifting weather. The Team Penske driver secured his third NASCAR Cup Series win of …
Blaney overcomes pit issue to win second straight at New Hampshire
Ryan Blaney capitalized on a quick final pit stop to hold off Bubba Wallace and win the Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The victory is Blaney's second consecutive at the track, despite an earlier mishap …
Blaney's New Hampshire Victory Extends Penske's Dominant Stretch
Ryan Blaney won Sunday's Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, giving Team Penske its fourth victory in the last six events. Denny Hamlin clinched the top seed for the Chase with a seventh-place finish, while …
Norris receives highest score in Zandvoort driver rankings
Lando Norris won the Dutch Grand Prix, his second consecutive victory, and now trails championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 83 points. George Russell had a strong weekend, winning the sprint and finishing third, while Me…
F1 mailbag: Send your Dutch GP queries
The Athletic is collecting reader questions about the Dutch Grand Prix for an upcoming F1 mailbag. Submissions can cover any aspect of the race weekend. The best questions will be answered in a future article.
Verstappen's Dutch GP ends in first-lap crash, Red Bull scores season-low points
Max Verstappen crashed out of the Dutch Grand Prix on the opening lap after losing control on a banked corner, ending his race early. The Red Bull driver was unharmed but called the weekend disappointing. Red Bull manage…
Kirkwood jumps to front as IndyCar debuts in Washington
Kyle Kirkwood took the early lead in the first IndyCar race held in Washington, D.C., passing polesitter Alex Palou shortly after the green flag. The race began under a yellow flag due to debris on track, but racing resu…
Norris wins Dutch Grand Prix with strategic overtake
Lando Norris of McLaren won the Dutch Grand Prix, overcoming Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli after a red flag caused by Max Verstappen's crash. Norris used a tire strategy to pass Antonelli and also overtook Lewis Hamilton. The…
Final Lap at Zandvoort: Beloved Dutch GP Ends Its Run
The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort is hosting its final Formula 1 race, a decision driven by financial pressures and a lack of government support. The event's revival in 2021 was fueled by Max Verstappen's popularity, whi…
New F1 Quiz Challenges Fans to Beat the Clock
A new quiz from BBC Sport asks Formula 1 fans to answer five questions in five minutes, timed to the return of the season at the Dutch Grand Prix. The questions were prepared by BBC Sport's Joe Rindl. Additional quizzes …
DraftKings NASCAR DFS Picks for the Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire
The article offers daily fantasy picks for Sunday's NASCAR race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Christopher Bell is highlighted as a top stud due to his strong history at the track. The race is one of the final two of t…
Gordon Dominates Throwback IROC Doubleheader in Washington
Jeff Gordon swept both International Race of Champions exhibition races on Saturday, beating legends like Kurt Busch and Hélio Castroneves. The 10-lap events served as a warm-up for INDYCAR's Freedom 250 weekend. Gordon …
Palou Claims Pole for Inaugural Freedom 250 on D.C. Street Course
Alex Palou secured the top starting spot for Sunday's Freedom 250, his 19th career pole. The INDYCAR points leader described the 1.7-mile course as bumpy but fun, and he's eager to showcase the series to new fans. The ra…
Danner survives early wrecks to win USAC Bettenhausen at state fair
Briggs Danner won the USAC Bettenhausen race at the state fair, overcoming two wrecks on the start. He capitalized when Justin Grant suffered an engine failure late in the event. Danner's resilience secured the victory i…
IndyCar's Washington D.C. Race: A Political and Logistical Feat
IndyCar's Freedom 250 Grand Prix, set to run in Washington D.C., was organized in just seven months with involvement from the federal government. The race required an executive order to designate a route, adding politica…
O'Ward to start seventh in Washington IndyCar race; Palou takes pole
Pato O'Ward qualified seventh for the inaugural Freedom 250 on the streets of Washington, D.C., missing the Firestone Fast Six by one spot. Alex Palou earned the pole position, with Kyle Kirkwood alongside him on the fro…
IndyCar's first D.C. street race set with qualifying complete
The IndyCar Series makes its debut on the streets of Washington, D.C., with the starting grid and pole position now set. The race is scheduled to start at a specific time, and fans can watch the action live. Qualifying r…
Jeff Gordon Sweeps IROC Races on National Mall, First Individual Win Since 2015
Jeff Gordon, a NASCAR Hall of Famer, won both 10-lap IROC races on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. The 55-year-old drove a No. 24 car owned by Rick Hendrick, passing Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan …
Qualifying Sets Grid for IndyCar Freedom 250 on D.C. Streets
IndyCar drivers completed qualifying for the Freedom 250 on the temporary street circuit in Washington, D.C. The session determined the starting order for the race, with pole position highly contested. Kyle Kirkwood was …
Gordon Sweeps IROC Street Races in D.C. Debut
Jeff Gordon claimed victories in both IROC exhibition races held on the streets of Washington, D.C., on Saturday. The wins marked his first-ever triumph on a street course. Gordon downplayed the stakes, saying the result…
Gordon ends decade-long drought with IROC victory on D.C. street course
Jeff Gordon won the first International Race of Champions event in 20 years, held on a 1.7-mile street course near the National Mall. The 55-year-old Hall of Famer last won an individual race in 2015 at Martinsville, tho…
Turner's Unbeaten Run at Budds Creek Earns Overall Crown
Lachlan Turner swept both motos at Budds Creek to claim the overall win. He led every lap of Moto 2 after a strong start.
Kiwi and French Teams Rebound Strongly on Opening Day of German SailGP
New Zealand and France, both recovering from a serious crash in Auckland six months ago, topped their group after Saturday's qualifying races in Sassnitz. The French boat set a new F50 speed record at 58.1 knots, while A…
Norris wary of race pace despite Zandvoort pole
Lando Norris secured pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix, his second consecutive pole, but remains cautious about his race prospects after a disappointing sprint performance. The McLaren driver lost ground to George R…
Daiquiri Bay captures Ebor Handicap in tight finish
Daiquiri Bay won the Ebor Handicap at York, holding off Hopewell Rock and Opportunity in a close finish. The 10-1 shot earned £300,000 and a place in the Melbourne Cup. Trainer Alan King praised jockey Rossa Ryan for exe…
IndyCar Street Race in D.C. Impresses Motorsports Journalist
A motorsports journalist expressed enthusiasm for the IndyCar street circuit in Washington, D.C., part of the Freedom 250 event. The race weekend includes IROC competition and offers a unique urban setting. The journalis…
Norris takes Dutch GP pole in rain-threatened qualifying
Lando Norris claimed pole for the Dutch Grand Prix, beating George Russell by 0.102 seconds. Kimi Antonelli qualified third, while Max Verstappen could only manage seventh for his final home race. The expected rain never…
Antonelli admits Zandvoort errors serve as timely reminder in title fight
Kimi Antonelli acknowledged his mistakes during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, calling them a valuable wake-up call. The Mercedes driver, who leads the championship by 50 points over Lewis Hamilton, was outqualified by te…
Russell dominates Dutch sprint to close F1 title gap
George Russell led every lap of the sprint race at Zandvoort, holding off a late charge from Charles Leclerc to take victory. Leclerc overtook Lando Norris for second with six laps remaining, while Kimi Antonelli finishe…
Rain forces early finish for Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT
Organizers moved the conclusion of the Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT to Tuesday due to forecast rain, shortening the event by three days. The decision was made to avoid weather disruptions.
George Russell dominates Dutch GP sprint from pole to flag
George Russell of Mercedes won the sprint race at the Dutch Grand Prix, leading every lap from pole position. He finished ahead of the field to secure the victory. The result adds to his strong weekend performance.
McLaren's Stella Pledges to Resolve Rear Tire Issues After Zandvoort Sprint
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has committed to addressing the rear tire problems that hampered the team during the Dutch Grand Prix sprint race. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc capitalized on a soft-compound gamble, whi…
Young Fan's Ferrari Shirt Gift to Verstappen Becomes Viral Moment
At the Dutch Grand Prix, a young fan presented Max Verstappen with a shirt that turned out to be a Ferrari-branded one, creating a humorous viral moment. The incident occurred at Circuit Zandvoort during the race weekend…
Zandvoort promoter explains decision to end Dutch GP on a high
The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort will leave the Formula 1 calendar after 2026, despite five years of sold-out crowds and a party atmosphere. Promoter Robert van Overdijk said the decision was purely business, citing the…
Exhibition honors McGuinness's three decades at Isle of Man TT
A pop-up exhibition is showcasing pivotal moments from John McGuinness's 30-year racing history at the Isle of Man TT. The display highlights his enduring presence and achievements in the iconic motorcycle event.
Kurt Busch Recalls Final Moments with Late Brother Kyle in Tearful Interview
NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch described being at the hospital with family after his brother Kyle suffered a medical emergency in May, which led to his death from sepsis complications. In an interview on TODAY, Busch re…
Truck Series Richmond Race TV Ratings Released
The television ratings for the NASCAR Truck Series race at Richmond in August 2026 have been released. The numbers show how many viewers tuned in to watch the event. The ratings are a measure of the race's audience.
Alonso's Dutch GP Hopes Dashed After Sprint Qualifying Collapse
Fernando Alonso was the fastest in practice for the Dutch Grand Prix but ended up last in Sprint Qualifying. The Aston Martin driver had been optimistic about the team's new upgrade package, but it failed to deliver in q…
Antonelli tops opening practice at Zandvoort ahead of Norris
Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time in first practice for the Dutch Grand Prix, edging out Lando Norris by 0.121 seconds. George Russell was third, with Lewis Hamilton fourth. The new Honda engine in the Aston Martin sho…
Freedom 250: IndyCar's longest street race poses unique endurance challenge
IndyCar's upcoming Freedom 250 on the National Mall is set to be the series' longest street race, requiring exceptional driver endurance and strategic foresight. Drivers have described the expected conditions as a 'washi…
IndyCar's Freedom 250: Drivers brace for grueling street race on National Mall
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix on the National Mall will be the longest street race in IndyCar history, pushing drivers' endurance and strategic planning to new limits. Competitors anticipate a chaotic, 'washing machine' eff…
Russell Declares No Preference for Team Orders as Mercedes Chases Double Title
George Russell has publicly stated his position on team orders, emphasizing that he expects fair competition between Mercedes drivers as the team leads both championships. He acknowledged that intra-team clashes are like…
Antonelli Credits Scout for Career Path
Andrea Kimi Antonelli acknowledged the role of talent scout Gwen Lagrue in his rise to Formula One. Lagrue, along with team principal Toto Wolff, spotted Antonelli in junior racing, leading to his Mercedes contract. Anto…
Leclerc: Mimicking Verstappen's Approach Would Be Unwise
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc said that copying Max Verstappen's methods would be a mistake because he lacks knowledge of Red Bull's internal team dynamics. He stressed the importance of forging his own path in Formula …
Jets owner Woody Johnson invests in Formula One team
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has acquired a minority stake in a Formula One racing team, broadening his sports investments beyond the NFL. The move adds to his portfolio as he continues to explore ventures outside f…
Verstappen's Red Bull Deal Through 2030 Averts F1 Crisis
Max Verstappen has signed a contract extension with Red Bull that keeps him with the team through 2030. The move prevents a potential embarrassment for Formula 1 had he walked away. The article discusses the significance…
Monster Jam celebrates two decades in Fresno with weekend show
Monster Jam is set to return to Fresno this weekend, marking the 20th anniversary of the event at the Save Mart Center. The monster truck spectacle will feature high-octane performances. Fans can expect a special celebra…
Two deaths in separate crashes at Manx Grand Prix qualifying
Swiss rider Mauro Poncini and local competitor Sam Naughton died in separate incidents during qualifying for the Manx Grand Prix on the Isle of Man. Poncini crashed on Tuesday evening, while Naughton, a married father of…
F1 Dutch Grand Prix: Your Complete Viewing Guide for Zandvoort
The 2026 Formula One Dutch Grand Prix takes place this weekend at Zandvoort Circuit. The article provides details on how to watch the race, including TV and streaming options. The race is scheduled for Sunday.