Formula 1 put up an interesting race in Miami, with a first-time GP winner, not to mention $280 lobster rolls and 12 grand for a bottle of tequila. Welcome to the Americanization of Formula 1, which begs the question; even if you can, should you?

It is May and INDYCAR is back home again in Indiana for Saturday's Sonsio Grand Prix. MotoGP continues their unparalleled entertainment in Le Mans this weekend, The World Endurance Championship is in Belgium for the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa, IMSA is in California for the Motul Course de Monterey Powered by Hyundai N and Formula E is in Germany for the Sun Minimeal Berlin E-Prix doubleheader.

Read on for race coverage and this weekend's previews.

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Jay Geils Memorial TV Links:

Saturday, May 11th: FIA WEC -TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa Part I 6:30 AM ET MOTORTREND

MotoGP - France Sprint Race 8:30 AM ET TRUTV

FIA WEC - TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa Part II 12:00 PM ET MOTORTREND

INDYCAR - Sonsio GP 3:00 PM ET NBC

Sunday, May 12th: MotoGP - Michelin Grand Prix de France 7:30 AM ET TRUTV

IMSA WTSC - Laguna Seca 3:00 PM ET NBC

ENJOY YOUR RACE WEEKEND!

MOTOGP - The greatest show on the planet is poised in France for this weekend's Michelin Grand Prix de France. MotoGP set an attendance record at last years race in Le Mans. There were 278,805 in attendance over the three days at the 2023 French Grand Prix. Please, we beg on all that is holy, that Liberty's purchase of MotoGP does not send it down the same path as Formula 1. The product and popularity are there and they are ripe for monetization.

But we're here to preview, not foreshadow, keep it positive and live in the moment. Because what we have here right now is truly special. Pecco Bagnaia threw down the gauntlet last time out in Spain. His ride to victory and how he held off Marc Marquez served notice that if he is to surrender the number 1 plate on his Ducati GP24, he will go down swinging.

Prima Pramac Racing's Jorge Martin crashed the last time out, but still leads the championship. That is something that can not be relied on, so riding smart, smooth and fast will be the key to success. Points are at a premium and compiling them is the first order of business. With the grid on the limit, that fine line is what makes for such great racing.

Although Pedro Acosta had his worst MotoGP finish in Jerez, P10 still provides six points. His maturity in his rookie year is remarkable, he finds traction and has yet to crash, which indicates he has not found his true potential yet. His progress bears watching.

Speaking of progression, The first Ducati podium for Marc Marquez and his first dry weather podium in two years should have his competitors keeping an eye out behind them. No. 93 hasn't been a factor is his last two seasons with Honda. That has changed.

Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing's Marco Bezzecchi completed the all-Ducati podium in Jerez and was at the top of the heap last year at the Bugatti Circuit. He beat Jorge Martin by 4.256s at Le Mans in 2023, with Johann Zarco P3 at another Ducati power circuit.

Marco Bezzecchi: "I can't wait to get back to the track, I'm really excited after the great race in Jerez, it was needed for the whole Team! Le Mans is notoriously a track where I have always been very strong, in all categories. I like the track, last year I won, one of the best races of my career. Let's continue to work, we have done good things over the last weekends and let's have fun."

Maverick Viñales' COTA sweep seems a long way off after his Jerez Sprint race crash and GP finish behind Trackhouse Aprilia's Miguel Oliveira. If he gets back to riding smart in France, don't be surprised to see him on the podium.

Although Brad Binder's P6 in Jerez was the best finish of the non-Ducati bikes, both he and Jack Miller will be looking over their shoulders at the GASGAS Tech3 rookie if they want to keep their rides on the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team.

This is a home race for Monster Energy Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo and LCR Honda's Johann Zarco. Unfortunately for them and their French fans, they ride for Yamaha and Honda. Although Quartararo did finish on the podium in the Sprint, a tire pressure infraction relegated him to P5. Zarco's 2023 podium was on a Ducati. Yamaha and Honda do not have the pace of the other manufacturers and any top results can be considered an outlier.

Jorge Martin's Riders' Championship lead is still in tact, but has diminished to 17 points, with Pecco now in P2. Enea Bastianini is five points behind his teammate in P3, with Acosta a single point behind the Beast. Maverick is P5 in the WC, six points from Acosta. Just outside the top five is Marc Marquez...

The Michelin Grand Prix of France from the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans is on Sunday, May 12th at 7:30 AM Eastern on truTV. Saturday's Sprint is at 8:30 AM ET on the same channel.

Check out the MOTOGP CALENDAR and the MOTOGP STANDINGS.

WORLDSBK - As long as we're en France - on Tuesday, May 7th, WorldSBK and Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours announced the extension of their partnership, which sees the French track remain on the calendar until 2027.

The renewed agreement marks a new three-year contract, spanning the 2025, 2026, and 2027 seasons. The announcement follows the last year's edition of the event, where attendance figures soared, exceeding pre-pandemic levels and establishing a foundation for the event's future growth.

As part of this commitment, a state-of-the-art race control room made its WorldSBK debut during the 2023 event. The infrastructure upgrade, featuring new monitoring facilities, was made possible through a joint effort between Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours and the Departmental Council of Nievre, an investment integral to maintaining the circuit's Grade B homologation.

WorldSBK Executive Director Gregorio Lavilla: "We are pleased to continue our collaboration with the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. The circuit has consistently delivered great racing moments and showcased the passion and dedication of the French fans. This extension reflects our shared commitment to providing the best possible experience for both riders and spectators. We look forward to the next years of competition at this world-class facility."

Last week WorldSBK announced the continuation of TT Circuit Assen as a venue on the calendar through 2031. This week's announcement of the collaboration between Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours and WorldSBK ensures that the French Round remains on the racing calendar for years to come. Now we anticipate a return to the States pf the Superbike World Championship. We can wish.

Alvaro Bautista leads the 2024 WorldSBK Championship in his quest for three straight titles. He's followed closely by Toprak Razgatlioglu, who is just six points back in second. Bautista's Rookie teammate Nicolo Bulega started off 2024 strong and led the championship. He has fallen to P3 heading to his home country, eight points behind Toprak. 

The next round is in Misano, with the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” scheduled for June 14th - 16th.

WORLDSBK 2024 CALENDAR

MOTOAMERICA - On Wednesday, May 8th, MotoAmerica announced that the Fourth Annual “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” is scheduled for July 12th, during the Laguna Seca Round.

The event gives riders the opportunity to spend a day riding motorcycles and hanging out at the racetrack with racers who have won 32 AMA National Championships and eight World Championships!

This year’s ride includes the following legends:

Four-time World Champion Eddie Lawson

Three-time AMA Grand National Champion and 1988 AMA Superbike Champion Bubba Shobert

Seven-time Supercross and Motocross National Champion Rick Johnson

Nine-time AMA Grand National Champion Scott Parker

Three-time AMA Superbike Champion Doug Chandler

1991 AMA Superbike Champion Thomas Stevens

1996 AMA Superbike Champion Miguel Duhamel

Three-time AMA Superbike and 2009 World Superbike Champion Ben Spies.

The 100-mile ride will begin at the Moto Talbott Motorcycle Museum in Carmel Valley, California, and will tour the Monterey Peninsula, including in and around the Santa Lucia Mountain ranges, the Salinas Valley foothills and local wineries. The ride will conclude at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with two laps around the racetrack, lunch, and a Q&A session at the Turn 3 Paddock Suite with Rainey, Lawson, Shobert, Johnson, Parker, Chandler, Stevens, Duhamel, and Spies.

Riders Gather at The Moto Talbott Motorcycle Museum

Rainey’s Ride To The Races will be held on Friday, July 12th, opening day of Round 6 of the MotoAmerica Championship, and will again benefit the Roadracing World Action Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes motorcycle racing safety with the facilitation of soft barrier systems at racing events.

MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey: “I’m really proud of what ‘Rainey’s Ride To The Races’ has become. We’ve raised nearly $325,000 since we started the ride three years ago, and that money has gone to a worthy cause – acquiring soft barrier systems we use at our races for improved rider safety. We’ve always had good support from legends in the sport and this year’s event will showcase even more motorcycle racing heroes – Eddie Lawson, Bubba Shobert, Rick Johnson, Scott Parker, Doug Chandler, Thomas Stevens, Miguel Duhamel, and Ben Spies. I think it’s great the legends are giving back to the sport that gave them so much, and they all understand the importance of rider safety. I really appreciate these guys coming to Laguna Seca to join the ride.”

The ride will be limited to 50 riders who purchase the special $700 Premium “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” Ticket, which includes the Q&A session and lunch with the legends in the climate-controlled Turn 3 Paddock Suite on Friday. While a three-day general admission ticket is included in the donation, for an additional $700, “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” ticket purchasers can upgrade to the MotoAmerica Superfan VIP Experience in the Turn 3 Paddock Suite for the entire weekend.

Don't snooze on this bucket list opportunity. Sign up for RAINEY'S RIDE.

After the opening two races in the MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike Championship, Jake Gagne and Cameron Beaubier are tied with 45 points apiece. Sean Dylan Kelly is third with 24 points, two ahead of Bobby Fong and J.D. Beach who are tied on 22 points.

The next round of MotoAmerica competition will take place at the famed Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama, May 17th - 19th. 

Lando Norris: "What a race. It’s been a long time coming, but we’ve finally managed to do it. I’m so happy for the whole team, and what we’ve achieved together. We’ve had a few little setbacks across the weekend, but today we managed to put it all together. The car was great, the strategy was perfect, and I’m over the moon. I’m proud of everyone in this team today. I’ve always believed in them, and they’ve always had faith in me, and today we’ve really justified that. A huge thanks go to them for the hard work they’ve put in that made this possible.”

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella: "Victory today in Miami is meaningful for many reasons. First of all, for Lando and his first F1 win. I am happy from the bottom of our hearts for him. We’ve often said as soon as we give him winning material, he’s going to win. He did it in style.

“Beyond that, it’s a very important day for the team. We’ve been on a journey for some time, after an incredible turnaround last year. We’ve kept momentum, and today is another very important step and hopefully the starting point for greater success. So, I’m very happy for all the people at McLaren, I hope they enjoy this moment because I know how much work has gone into delivering these upgrades. It’s not just design or just manufacturing, it’s an effort across every department at the factory and from the trackside team. This goes beyond just the people at McLaren: it goes to our power unit partners at HPP and our technical and commercial partners who are vital to this success. It’s teamwork in the widest possible sense.

“The car was very good this weekend – and it’s worth noting Oscar was in a very strong position to be on the podium as well, as he drove a very good race.

“Lastly, my final word is for Gil de Ferran, to whom this victory is dedicated to by the whole team. Gil, this is for you.”

Despite not winning, Max Verstappen still distanced himself another eight points over his teammate Perez. Leclerc is P3, 38 points behind Max, with Norris jumping to fourth, with the same points as Sainz, who is classified P5.

The next event on the 2024 F1 calendar will be the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix over the weekend of May 17th - 19th.

Berlin holds the distinction of being the only city to have hosted a race in every Formula E season - a total of 18 races. With Tempelhofer Feld as the host venue for all but one season, the track presents a familiar yet demanding atmosphere for drivers and teams alike, and with the updated layout for Season 10, the possibilities are wide open.

The circuit’s bumpy concrete apron, heightened degradation, and high levels of grip make it a unique test of skill and strategy for competitors.

The updated counter-clockwise layout introduces changes such as the positioning of the ATTACK MODE activation that now sits on the outside of Turn 2, and a re-configuration of the circuit to a 15-turn layout with additional twists and chicanes.

The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT will be the new Formula E safety car. At the doubleheader in Berlin the most powerful production Porsche of all time will take the role of safety car in the all-electric world championship. The new Taycan was presented in February. The Turbo GT follows the Turbo S of 2019. Two variants will be the car on duty and the substitute car – with different features and in different colors.

For the first time ever, two versions of the electric world championship’s safety car will lead the way: The Taycan Turbo GT, with the exterior Purple Sky Metallic color, will be performing its duties with the Weissach package and therefore without any rear seats. The Attack Mode, with temporary boosts of up to 120 kW of extra power, is based on the technology of the Porsche 99X Electric, the current world-championship-winning Formula E car. The second car in Shade Green Metallic will be in action without the added performance boost (four-seater).

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is in Germany for a doubleheader. The Berlin E-Prix will host Rounds 9 and 10 on May 11th and 12th. There is no TV broadcast coverage for the two German rounds that we can find listings for. The alternative is to subscribe to ROKU and stream it.

IMSA WTSC - Since IMSA's visit to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca last season, the venue has been resurfaced. This will put an emphasis on getting a new baseline on tire degradation and will require teams getting a maximum of practice time in before qualifying and Sunday's Motul Course de Monterey Powered by Hyundai N.

There has been some testing there in the interim, with both Cadillacs, both BMWs and both Penske Porsches trying out the new pavement. Lap times are expected to be two to three seconds quicker with the improved grip.

That being said, mistakes may be more costly, with greater speeds and less time to save it before impacting a barrier. That variable is going to make it closer in focus to the unforgiving nature of the last venue 350 miles south on the barrier-lined streets of Long Beach.

At a circuit where passing can be difficult, traffic and how the GTP cars catch it, can be both luck and strategy. It will certainly be a consideration as much as the weather forecast for a foggy and cool race day.

Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande won the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R. The two drivers spoke about this weekend's trip to Monterey.

Sebastien Bourdais: “We’ve had a pretty strong start to the season with the Cadillac 01. We didn’t get the result we wanted at Daytona, but it sure worked out pretty good at Sebring and Long Beach. Renger put on a clinic last year at Laguna and we went testing recently and feel like we’ve made some really good strides with the car setup. Definitely looking forward to going back there. It’s a beautiful racetrack and I think everyone enjoys racing there. Racing is always a little challenging and tricky because it’s one of those places that make it pretty hard to make passes, but anything is possible in that IMSA field with traffic and all the conditions we know.”

Renger van der Zande: “I’m always looking forward to going to Laguna Seca. Actually, my first time racing in the U.S. was at Laguna Seca. Coming back there with some strong results in the past is always a good feeling. The favorite tracks of drivers are always the ones where they did well, and Laguna Seca I’ve been doing well so far. So, much looking forward to going there.”

Turner Motorsport will start its 557th race with BMW at the Motul Course de Monterey, becoming the team with the most races worldwide for the manufacturer. Turner will commemorate the achievement by racing as car No. 557 instead of its traditional No. 96, with co-drivers Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher behind the wheel of the BMW M4 GT3 in the GTD class.

Because of pit space limitations in the series' two street races, GTD PRO had the weekend off at Long Beach. The reverse will be true in Detroit, when GTD gets the weekend off. This weekend however, all 24 GT entries, across both classes will be on hand in Central California.

The three Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs in IMSA – the No. 3 and No. 4 GTD PRO entries from Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports and the No. 13 GTD entry from AWA – spent two days testing at the 2.238-mile, 11-turn circuit in April to get a head start on car setup and understanding tire degradation levels with the increased grip level in the new blacktop.

Corvette Racing By Pratt and Miller Motorsports' Nicky Catsburg: “It was very eye-opening to test at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. I hadn’t been to the track since 2019 in IGTC. But I was very happy to be back and to drive the Corvette again. This is a great track and is an example of why it’s fun to race in America. The elevation changes are massive and there are real penalties for going off-track. Everyone talks about the Corkscrew and while it is very iconic, there are a lot of sections of the track that you have to nail in order to put together a good lap. So I would say we are optimistic going into this weekend and hopeful for a first win for the Z06 GT3.R.”

Check out the ENTRY LIST for The Motul Course de Monterey Powered by Hyundai N.

The Motul Course de Monterey Powered by Hyundai N, is on May 12th at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Live broadcast coverage is on NBC at 3:00 PM Eastern.

2024 IMSA WTSC SCHEDULE.

FIA WEC - The spectacular Circuit Spa-Francorchamps hosts the World Endurance Championship this weekend for the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa. Practice is already underway for Saturday's race. Theweather, so far, has been very un-Spa-like. That should continue on race day Saturday, with sun and a high of 70°F. There is a 10% chance of rain...

The two Ferrari AF Corse Ferrari 499Ps led FP1 today, with the No. 50 of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, and Nicklas Nielsen completing 34 laps. The Italian turned in the benchmark time of 2m05.690s, the best of the session. The No. 51 car completed 38 laps with Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi at the wheel. Giovinazzi clocked 2m06.831s, the second fastest time of the session. In P3 was the No. 63 Lamborghini S63 of Mirko Bortolotti, Daniil Kvyat and Andrea Caldarelli.

In the afternoon, as the sun kept shining over Spa, the No. 6 Porsche Penske 963 of Kevin Estre, Andre Lotterer and Laurens Vanthoor ran 33 laps and set a 2m04.162s, for the session's top time. The No. 50 Ferrari was P2, just 0.121 behind. Third in Free Practice 2 was the No. 2 Cadillac Racing Cadillac V-Series.R of Earl Bamber and Alex Lynn.

Today Mobil 1 announced it has partnered with The FIA World Endurance Championship two-car squad Hertz Team JOTA. Continuing a strong collaborative relationship with Porsche cars in WEC, Mobil 1 will serve as the exclusive lubricant supplier to the Hertz Team JOTA.

Supported by former NFL quarterback, Tom Brady, Hertz Team JOTA's driver lineup includes former Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button. His relationship with Mobil 1 dates back to his winning of the Formula 1 World Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship with Brawn GP. Jenson is joined in the No. 38 Porsche 963 by Phil Hanson and Oliver Rasmussen, with JOTA race winner Will Stevens, Callum Illot and Norman Nato in the No. (TB) 12 963.

In the LMGT3 class at the last round in Imola, there was a one-two result for the two BMW M4 GT3s of BMW M Team WRT. Augusto Farfus, Sean Gelael, and Darren Leung achieved the first victory for a BMW M Motorsport car in the history of the FIA WEC in the No. 31 BMW M4 GT3. Second place, in his home race, went to Valentino Rossi, who shared the cockpit of the No. 46 BMW M4 GT3 with Maxime Martin and Ahmad Al Harthy. Both crews now compete at Spa-Francorchamps in what is a home round for the Belgian-based BMW M Team WRT. They will have plenty of cheering Belgians and the confidence of a BMW victory at the 24-hour race in 2023 in a GT3-spec BMW M4 GT3.

Corvette is represented in LMGT3 class of the WEC by a pair of TF Sport Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs. Both Corvettes tested at Spa in March and completed more than 1,670 miles in two days around the 4.35-mile, 20-turn circuit. That data will prove useful when it’s combined with TF Sport’s WEC history at Spa – six consecutive podium finishes including third in GTE Am a year ago.

In today's FP1, TF Sport topped the times in the LMGT3 category as Daniel Juncadella turned a best lap of 2m20.885s in the yellow and black Corvette he shares with Hiroshi Koizumi and Sebastien Baud. The No. 54 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 LMGT3 is second in the hands of Davide Rigon who was just 0.3s shy of Juncadella’s best effort.  Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage was third as Daniel Mancinelli set his quickest lap at 2m21.387.

In FP2 it was the No. 7 8 Akkodis ASP Team Lexus setting the standard in LMGT3, as Clemens Schmid set a best lap of 2m21.257s in the early stages of the session. In P2 it was the all-female No. 85 Iron Dames Lamborghini Huracan. Third fastest in LMGT3 in session 2 was the No. 46 Team WRT BMW M4 with Valentino Rossi setting the fastest time in the car he shares with Ahmed Al Harthy and Maxime Martin.

As the last race before the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 15th and 16th, Spa is an important milestone in the preparation for the WEC season highlight. The flowing high-speed track is an important opportunity to fine-tune the aero on a lay-out which requires similar performance attributes to the Circuit de la Sarthe.

Some driver lineups and additional cars for Le Mans have been announced. An additional entry for the race will be the No. 19 Lamborghini Iron Lynx SC63 with its IMSA line up of Lamborghini factory drivers Andrea Caldarelli and Matteo Cairoli, and ex-Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean. They join the full-time FIA WEC No. 63 entry of Edoardo Mortara, Daniil Kvyat and Mirko Bortolotti.

At Porsche Penske Motorsport, Mathieu Jaminet will share driving duties in the third No. 4 Porsche 963 with his works driver colleagues Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy. This same trio helmed the No. 75 vehicle last year and at times led the long-distance classic on its 100th anniversary. The No. 5 and No. 6 sister cars are driven by the regular FIA World Endurance Championship WEC crew with American Dane Cameron on standby as a reserve driver.

Cadillac Racing and Action Express Racing announced that 2022 FIA Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich will co-drive the No. 311 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R with Pipo Derani and Jack Aitken at Le Mans in June. Cadillac Racing will also be represented at Circuit de la Sarthe by the full-season WEC No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R, which earned a podium spot in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R that competes as the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R in IMSA.

There's one more practice session at Spa on Friday morning before qualifying, which begins at 3:30 PM CEST. The TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa begins at 1:00 PM local time on Saturday. The US broadcast is on MotorTrend TV at 6:30 AM Eastern, with segment 2 at 12:00 PM ET.