The 9–13 November motorsport headlines have been shaped by Formula 1’s São Paulo Grand Prix and MotoGP’s Qatar round. Both championships delivered important results, while the next race dates are already drawing attention as the 2026 season approaches its final stages.
Norris wins in São Paulo and Mercedes take the team title
Lando Norris converted pole position into victory at Interlagos on 8 November, winning the São Paulo Grand Prix by 14.6 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. Isack Hadjar completed the podium in third. The race took place in changing conditions and required teams to manage tyre choices and timing as the weather shifted.
Mercedes secured the 2026 constructors’ championship after George Russell finished fourth and Kimi Antonelli fifth. The result confirmed the team’s consistency across the season and gave Mercedes the teams’ title before the remaining rounds had been completed.
The drivers’ championship remains a separate contest. Formula 1’s standings listed Antonelli on 390 points, Verstappen on 279 and Russell on 262 after Brazil. The next race is the Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled for 19–21 November.
MotoGP: Bezzecchi wins Qatar as the title fight continues
Marco Bezzecchi won the Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail on 8 November, with Marc Márquez second and Raúl Fernández third. Bezzecchi’s victory kept his own title hopes alive, while Márquez strengthened his position in the championship. The official MotoGP coverage described the contest as a late-season battle involving three riders, with two rounds remaining.
MotoGP also reported that Francesco Bagnaia had undergone successful surgery following his crash in the Qatar sprint. His recovery and return timetable will be watched closely by Ducati and fans, but the team’s medical updates should guide any assessment of his next race.
Two championships, different pressures
Formula 1’s constructors’ title is now settled, but the drivers’ standings remain a central story. MotoGP, by contrast, still has its riders’ title battle open. Both championships demonstrate how performance across a full season matters more than one race result.
What to watch next
Formula 1 heads to Las Vegas from 19 to 21 November, followed by Qatar and Abu Dhabi. MotoGP is also approaching its final rounds, with the title contenders needing strong finishes. Teams will be balancing performance development, rider and driver fitness, and the pressure of the closing races.
Sources:
- FIA — Norris wins São Paulo as Mercedes secure constructors’ title: https://www.fia.com/news/f1-norris-triumphs-sao-paulo-mercedes-secure-2026-constructors-championship
- Formula 1 — 2026 race calendar and standings: https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2026
- Formula 1 — São Paulo race result: https://www.formula1.com/en/results/2026/races/1299/aa/race-result
- MotoGP — latest championship news: https://www.motogp.com/en/news/MotoGP