10 Things You Might Have Missed From Last Weekend's Motorsport Action

In another busy weekend of motorsport - which included MotoGP, WRC and V8 Supercars - here are 10 things for you to catch up on:

1. Marquez returns to the top step

Marc Marquez scored his 12th win of the 2014 MotoGP season – equalling Mick Doohan’s 1997 record – at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. He started from pole position but suffered a poor start. However, he managed to pass Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo (who finished second and third) to take the victory.

Despite his team-mate Dani Pedrosa crashing twice, the result for Marquez – who clinched the riders’ title in Japan two weeks ago - helped Honda to the constructors’ title. The final round of the season in Valencia takes place from the 7-9 November.

VW’s Sebastien Ogier secured his second consecutive FIA World Rally Championship title last weekend after winning in Spain. He finished 11.3 seconds ahead of his team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala, his championship rival. Ogier’s 23rd career victory was also VW’s 11th of the season, matching Citroen’s record from 2005 and 2008.

The V8 Supercars were in action at the Gold Coast street circuit, with Shane van Gisbergen and Jonathon Webb taking the opening race victory at Surfers Paradise after a strategic battle with Jamie Whincup and Paul Dumbrell.

However, Whincup and Dumbrell went on to win the second race of the weekend after a dominant display by the two drivers.

The FIA World Touring Car Championship took to the Suzuka track last weekend for the penultimate round of the 2014 season. A near-perfect win for José María López saw the Argentine driver take the drivers’ title. Meanwhile Gabriele Tarquini gave Honda a victory on home turf after finishing the second race in first place.

At Nascar’s oldest track, Dale Earnhardt Jr – who was eliminated from the Chase for the Sprint Cup last week - made a late charge after a pit stop with 10 laps to go to secure his first victory at the Martinsville Speedway. Jeff Gordon finished second, giving Hendrick Motorsports a one-two finish.

The shortest oval on the Nascar 2014 calendar provided fans with plenty of action during last weekend’s races at Martinsville. There was plenty of contact, including a big wreck after a problem caused Brad Keselowski to slow.

Contact during the Nascar Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville caused several hard hits with the barrier.

8. Lappi edges closer to title

As well as the WRC, the FIA European Rally Championship was also in action over the weekend. Esapekka Lappi took a commanding Rally of Valais victory in Switzerland, moving closer to the title with one round remaining. He finished 42 seconds ahead of Craig Breen.

9. F1 gears up for Austin

The United States Grand Prix returned to the F1 calendar in 2012 at a new home – the Circuit of the Americas in Texas. Austin’s culture and unique atmosphere makes it arguably the most highly-anticipated event of the season, and the F1 paddock has been gearing up to return to the city.

However, the grid will be down to 18 cars for this weekend’s race, following the news over the last few days that Caterham and Marussia have both gone into administration.

10. Audi rubbishes F1 rumours

Last week we reported that Audi was rumoured to be interested in a switch to F1. However, the German marque has since rubbished the reports, posting in a statement on social media:

“Audi in Formula 1? These rumours keep appearing with regularity since years [sic]. It’s pure speculation again this time and without any foundation. We are committed to the FIA WEC, DTM and GT racing. In 2015 we will add the Audi Sport TT Cup to our program.”