Motorsport Roundup: Quartararo Clinches MotoGP Crown, Verstappen Wins At COTA, And Ogier To Test The Toyota GR010 Hybrid

The last seven days saw history made in MotoGP, with a new premier class world champion being crowned. Formula One also served up a closely fought United States Grand Prix, and a WRC legend will be trying his hand at a LeMans hypercar. Here’s everything that went down:

MotoGP 

While the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix saw Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro manage a Honda 1-2, the focus was on Yamaha’s Fabio Quartarao making history by sealing his maiden premier class title. Of course the title race ended in dramatic fashion in the final few laps, as race leader and title rival Pecco Bagnaia crashed his Ducati out of the race, sealing the deal for Quartararo who finished fourth in the end. Now, with only two rounds to go, the fight is all for places second and below. 

Formula One

The 17th round of the 2021 Formula One season served up an action packed race at the Circuit Of The Americas, in Austin, Texas. Max Verstappen held off a close challenge by title rival Lewis Hamilton to take his eighth win of the season for Red Bull Racing Honda.His teammate Sergio Perez rounded off the podium in third place. This result has left Verstappen with a 12-point lead over Hamilton (Mercedes) in the drivers’ standings, while Red Bull Racing Honda is now 23 points off Mercedes in the constructors’ standings with five rounds to go. 

WEC

We all know that seven-time WRC champion Sebastien Ogier is best known for his off-road racing credentials, but he will be having a go at Toyota’s GR010 LeMans Hybrid hypercar at the FIA World Endurance Championship rookie test in Bahrain on November 7. Of course this isn’t a confirmation that Ogier will be competing in WEC, but Toyota is mulling a third car entry at the 24hrs of LeMans and other select races. 

Next week will see the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship return to racing action with the penultimate round of the season at Bahrain .