From COTA to Monza: Key Highlights Across WEC, F1, and MotoGP

Sep 9th, 2025

It’s been a blockbuster week across motorsport. Endurance racing saw a rain-soaked thriller in Austin as Porsche finally broke through in WEC, Formula 1 lit up Monza with blistering pace and heated team orders, while MotoGP welcomed one of F1’s most colorful figures in a surprise leadership shake-up. Here’s everything you need to know.

Credit: James Moy Photography via Getty Images

Credit: Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images

WEC: Lone Star Le Mans Drama in Austin:

The World Endurance Championship (WEC) brought fans a dramatic round at the 6 Hours of COTA (Lone Star Le Mans), where changing weather conditions made strategy the true decider. A rain-soaked middle stint produced chaos, with multiple safety car deployments and pit lane gambles shuffling the order throughout the field.

Credit: FIAWEC - DPPI

In the end, it was Porsche Penske Motorsport’s #6 car, driven by Kévin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and Matt Campbell, that delivered Porsche’s first WEC victory of 2025. Their race was a masterclass in patience and execution, as they held off Ferrari’s #51 entry, which had looked dominant before a costly time penalty in the closing stages.

The result is crucial in the Hypercar championship fight—Ferrari still leads the standings, but the gap has now shrunk to just 15 points ahead of the season finale in Bahrain. With double points on offer, Porsche’s Austin breakthrough has set up a tantalizing title showdown.

Monza’s High-Speed Theatre Showdown:

Formula 1 took the spotlight to Monza, where Max Verstappen powered to a stunning victory at record pace, clocking the fastest-ever F1 race with an average speed of 250.7 km/h—his first win since May and the third of his season.

The race wasn't without its off-track dramas—McLaren’s decision to swap Oscar Piastri behind Lando Norris after a slow pit stop drew criticism and headlines about the team’s internal dynamics.

George Russell delivered a strong P5 for Mercedes, then enjoyed a serene break in Capri with his partner, while Williams’ Alex Albon continued his momentum by fighting into the points mix.

Credit: Mark Thompson / Getty Images

Meanwhile, Cadillac F1 continues its pre-launch momentum by naming Colton Herta as its test driver for 2026. The former IndyCar talent joins already confirmed drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, signaling Cadillac’s commitment to building a strong and nationally resonant driver lineup.

@cadillacf1 via Instagram

MotoGP: Steiner’s Shift from F1:

In a splashy move, former Haas F1 Team Principal Guenther Steiner has taken the reins at Red Bull KTM Tech3 MotoGP, becoming its new CEO. With over 30 years in motorsport under his belt—including a Netflix-famed tenure—Steiner’s entry ushers in a new era for the team. His leadership arrival, backed by Liberty Media’s growing attendance in MotoGP, aims to inject fresh energy into the series.