Other Series to watch During the F1 Break
Why there is a Break
The F1 break is not a planned one. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled due to the ongoing war in Iran, with the situation in the region deemed too unstable for the races to go ahead. Many fans wondered why a replacement race could not be found but the complicated logistics of scheduling an F1 season make last minute rearrangements practically impossible, so there was simply no viable fix. The result is a five week gap between Japan and the next race in Miami on May 1 through 3.
1. Formula E
Cadillac ends 2026 in last place as a brand-new Formula 1 team. Even with strong funding, the learning curve in aerodynamics, strategy, and race operations is massive. Mistakes early in the season are unavoidable. The car improves as data is gathered. Their real focus is building a foundation for future years, not immediate results.
2. Indycar
IndyCar is the top open wheel series in the United States and it honestly does not get enough attention from international motorsport fans. The mix of oval tracks and street circuits creates a really unique challenge that no other series can match, and the Indy 500 coming up in May is one of the greatest sporting events on the planet full stop. The fields are competitive and the racing is close, and you get drivers from all kinds of backgrounds including ex F1 guys who came over and found a new home.
3. Moto Gp
MotoGP is two wheels instead of four but do not let that stop you because the racing is some of the most exciting in all of motorsport. These riders are doing things on a motorcycle at 200 plus miles per hour that genuinely look impossible and the battles at the front of the pack are incredibly close. Riders like Marc Marquez have built legendary careers in the sport and the current grid is stacked with talent. Once you start watching it is very hard to go back to ignoring it.
4. World Endurance Championship
The WEC is long distance prototype racing where teams push cars to their absolute limits over several hours at some of the most iconic circuits in the world. The highlight of the whole season is the Le Mans 24 Hours in June which is one of motorsport's crown jewel events and has been running for over a century. What makes it special is that you have multiple classes of cars racing on the same track at the same time which creates its own fascinating tactical battle throughout the race. It is a totally different kind of motorsport but once it grabs you it really grabs you.
5. NASCAR
NASCAR gets a bad reputation from people who have never really sat down and watched it properly but the racing is far more strategic and technical than outsiders tend to think. Pack racing on superspeedways is unlike anything else in motorsport and the way teams manage tires, fuel and track position over hundreds of laps is genuinely compelling. The culture around it is also unlike any other series with a passionate and loud fanbase that makes the atmosphere at races feel electric. Give it a few races with an open mind and you might be surprised.
6. World Rally Championship
The WRC is cars flying through forests, snow, gravel and mountain roads at speeds that make absolutely no sense given the conditions. The relationship between the driver and the co driver who reads the pace notes is fascinating and adds a layer to the sport that nothing else really has. Stages through places like Finland or Monte Carlo are absolutely breathtaking to watch and the raw skill involved is on another level entirely. It is the kind of motorsport that makes you wonder how nobody gets hurt every single weekend.
7. IMSA
IMSA is North America's premier endurance racing series and it blends prototype cars with GT machinery all racing together on the same track which makes for a constantly evolving and unpredictable race. The Rolex 24 at Daytona is the crown jewel of the series and attracts top talent from all over the world including plenty of drivers with F1 backgrounds. The races are long enough that strategy and reliability matter just as much as outright pace which keeps things interesting from start to finish. If you enjoy WEC but want something closer to home geographically, IMSA scratches exactly the same itch.