Brad Binder will leave MotoGP for BMW’s WorldSBK project in 2027, while IndyCar’s IR-28 has completed its first oval running at Indianapolis and Ai Ogura will miss this weekend’s San Marino Grand Prix at Misano.
Formula 1 is also preparing for the first Spanish Grand Prix at Madring, while NASCAR’s Chase heads to Gateway. Here are the main stories from across the world of motorsport on Thursday, 10 September 2026.
Brad Binder joins BMW as the 2027 WorldSBK grid takes shape
The biggest rider-market move comes from WorldSBK, where BMW Motorrad Motorsport has confirmed Brad Binder will join the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for 2027.
Binder will leave MotoGP after seven seasons in the premier class, all of them with KTM, and will race the BMW M 1000 RR alongside Miguel Oliveira. The pair already know each other well after sharing teams in Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP.
BMW’s official announcement confirms Binder will replace Danilo Petrucci in its WorldSBK line-up. BMW says discussions are continuing over a possible future collaboration with Petrucci elsewhere.
The move is significant because Binder arrives with a strong Grand Prix pedigree. The 2016 Moto3 world champion is a two-time MotoGP race winner, and his switch gives BMW another proven top-level rider as it shapes its 2027 WorldSBK challenge.
It also adds to an unusually active rider market between MotoGP and WorldSBK. Jack Miller is already confirmed with Pata Maxus Yamaha for 2027, while Nicolò Bulega is moving in the opposite direction after agreeing a MotoGP deal with Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team. We covered Bulega’s move to VR46 Ducati separately.
The official WorldSBK 2027 rider-market tracker now lists Binder and Oliveira together at BMW, Miller alongside Andrea Locatelli at Yamaha and Bulega’s departure for MotoGP. Taken together, those moves are making the 2027 market one of the most interesting crossovers between the two championships in recent years.
IndyCar IR-28 completes its first oval running at Indianapolis
IndyCar’s next-generation IR-28 has taken another important step in its development programme after completing its first oval running at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Alexander Rossi completed the opening day of testing on Wednesday, becoming the first driver to run the new-for-2028 chassis in superspeedway specification.
According to IndyCar’s official test report, the early signs were encouraging. Rossi was comfortable immediately and the programme focused on basic mechanical and aerodynamic changes rather than outright speed.
That gives IndyCar a useful baseline. The IR-28 is intended to be lighter than the current car, with revised aerodynamics designed to improve stability and reduce the disadvantage suffered when following another car. Indianapolis is one of the most demanding places to assess those objectives because small changes in balance and aero behaviour are magnified at superspeedway speeds.
Rossi’s initial feedback suggested there were no major surprises and that the car already behaved in a familiar way around the 2.5-mile oval. Engineers can now build on that foundation as the development programme continues.
Five-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou is scheduled to take over the car on Thursday, giving Dallara and IndyCar a second driver reference as work continues towards the IR-28’s competitive debut in 2028.
Ai Ogura ruled out of Misano as Trackhouse runs one bike
SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team will run with only Raúl Fernández at the San Marino Grand Prix after confirming Ai Ogura has not recovered sufficiently from the left-hand injury that also kept him out of Aragón.
MotoGP’s official update says the team will not field a replacement for Ogura at Misano.
Ogura suffered the injury while training in Japan and required surgery after a fracture was discovered near his left thumb. His current target is a return at the Austrian Grand Prix next weekend.
For Trackhouse, that means a reduced presence at a weekend already carrying major championship significance. Jorge Martín arrives at Misano with a 19-point advantage over Marc Márquez, so attention will inevitably centre on the title fight, but Ogura’s absence removes another Aprilia from the field.
Madring is ready for Formula 1’s first official laps
Formula 1’s attention now turns fully to Madrid, where the new Madring circuit will host its first Grand Prix this weekend.
Fresh official Formula 1 images show the completed pit building, start line and circuit infrastructure, with the Medical Car already running on the 5.416km layout ahead of Friday practice.
The circuit combines public-road sections with purpose-built sections and features 22 corners. Pirelli has selected its C2, C3 and C4 compounds for the weekend, with the new surface making tyre behaviour and track evolution two of the biggest unknowns once the field begins running.
Our full 2026 Spanish Grand Prix preview covers the circuit, championship picture, La Monumental banking and the wider technical challenge. The next step is Friday practice, when teams will finally be able to compare their simulator work with the real circuit.
Watch: Formula 1’s official video of Carlos Sainz taking some of the first laps around Madring offers a useful look at the layout before the full field takes to the circuit. Watch the video on YouTube.
NASCAR prepares for the second Chase race at Gateway
NASCAR’s Cup Series Chase continues this weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, where the field is preparing for the second race of the postseason.
NASCAR has confirmed a 36-car entry and published the qualifying order for Saturday’s single-car session. Christopher Bell heads to Gateway with momentum after ending a 33-race win drought at Darlington in the opening Chase race.
Gateway now becomes the next pressure point in a postseason where one poor result can quickly reshape the championship picture.
What to watch next
- Palou in the IR-28: Thursday’s IndyCar running should add another important reference point to the new car’s oval development.
- WorldSBK rider market: Binder, Miller and Bulega have already reshaped the 2027 picture, with further movement still possible.
- Misano: MotoGP’s focus now turns to Martín, Márquez and the championship fight before track action begins.
- Madring FP1: Friday morning will provide the first real indication of how Formula 1’s newest circuit behaves with the full grid on track.
- Gateway qualifying: NASCAR’s Chase continues on Saturday before Sunday’s Cup race.
Tech Torque Verdict
Binder’s BMW move is the headline because it strengthens a wider trend that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. The line between MotoGP and WorldSBK is unusually active for 2027, with established Grand Prix winners moving towards production-based racing while Bulega heads in the opposite direction.
IndyCar’s first IR-28 oval running is arguably the more important technical development. The opening session was only an early validation run, but a straightforward start at Indianapolis gives the programme a useful foundation before Palou adds his feedback.
Binder’s BMW switch reshapes the 2027 WorldSBK picture, while IndyCar’s first IR-28 oval running marks another important step towards its 2028 debut. With MotoGP at Misano and Formula 1 heading into Madring’s first race weekend, the focus now shifts firmly back to what happens on track.
