Race Rap: Monday, May 12

Checo for Cadillac. Sergio Perez is being strongly tipped for a Grand Prix comeback in 2026, potentially with the all-new General Motorsport team. Cadillac is reportedly interested in the one-time F1 front-runner, who has dumped by Red Bull after a miserable 2024 season, but rumours also suggest there have been initial talks with Mercedes-AMG and Alpine.

Super2

Four from five. Alex Palou scored his fourth win from the first five races of the IndyCar season on the Indianapolis road course. Aussie Will Power was third, behind Pato O'Ward, with Scott McLaughlin in fourth.

Ferrari sweeps Spa. The Italian domination of Hypercar racing continued in Belgium as Ferrari finished 1-2 in the Spa 6-Hour sports car contest, with James Calado, Alessandro Pier Guidi and Antonio Giovinazzi in the winning 499P. Ferrari also claimed victory in the LMGT3 category with its 296 GT3 as Aussies Stephen and Brenton Grove came home 26th overall and 12th in GT3 with the Iron Dames team in Mercedes-AMG.

Rain changes play. Marc Marquez won the MotoGP sprint race as usual at the French Grand Prix but rain for the main event threw up a surprising winner. Johan Zarco gambled with wet tyres on his Honda and eventually became the first French rider for 71 years to win on on home turf at Le Mans.

Pato again in F1. Mexican IndyCar ace Pato O'Ward will hook his McLaren connection again this year when he drives in Free Practice 1 at his home race in Formula One. O'Ward, who races for McLaren in IndyCar and made his first F1 appearance with the papaya crew in 2024, has been confirmed for a guest appearance in the MCL39 in October – although there is no decision yet on whether he will take over the car of Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris.

Baggers for MotoGP. The craziest new development in MotoGP racing history, and a reflection of the new commercial approach by its owners at Liberty Media – which also owns Formula One – will see Harley Davisons racing on the program in 2026. But not just any Harleys, as 'bagger' bikes with saddle bags on the back, will be competing at six GP races with up to 16 bikes – all backed by H-D – on the grid.

Toby in the West. Dakar star Toby Price will upscale his rally involvement when he competes in the second round of the Australian Rally Championship in Perth, after a successful hit-out in a regional event in South Australia. Price will be driving the Skoda Fabia Rally2 car campaigned by Scott Pedder in season 2024 under the direction of former Subaru factory driver Dean Herridge.

Already ready. Australia's Supercars series has only just completed its third racing weekend of 2025 but already the British Touring Car Championship has a final calendar for racing in 2026. There are 10 events on the BTCC calendar for next year and the timing, partly to avoid any clashes with World Cup soccer in June-July, with four early events at Donington, Brands Hatch, Snetterton and Oulton Park.