Car World Weekly — July 13 – 19, 2026: Rossi for 24H Nürburgring, Belgian GP Drama & German EV Prices

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Welcome back to our weekly roundup of everything happening on four wheels. The third week of July 2026 brought a packed schedule of high-stakes track action, development milestones on the world’s most grueling circuits, and crucial market shifts. From major Formula 1 championship drama in the Ardennes to major updates affecting showroom prices across the Atlantic, here are the absolute must-know highlights from the past seven days.

🏎️ Nürburgring News

  • M2 CS Lap Success: Insiders confirmed that the highly anticipated BMW M2 CS prototype was actively testing on the Nordschleife, reportedly beating official previous lap times.
  • iX4 Spied in Action: Electric development accelerated as spy photographers captured the near-production BMW iX4 crossover coupe running heavily pushed laps with minimal camouflage.
  • Rossi Eyes 24H Permit: Nine-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi laid out plans to secure his Nürburgring permit (DPN) under simplified rules, using a 308-hp BMW M2 Racing to build laps.
  • RCN Endurance Battle: On Saturday, July 18, local endurance specialists took to the Green Hell for the latest round of the RCN (Rundstrecken-Challenge Nürburgring) series.

🇪🇺 European Racing News

  • Antonelli Conquers Spa: On July 19, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli took a commanding victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, securing his 6th win of the season.
  • Leclerc Takes Second: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished a tight P2 after initially benefiting from a Virtual Safety Car phase.
  • Verstappen Claims P3: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen made a brilliant opening-lap charge up Eau Rouge to round out the podium.
  • Feeder Series In Action: Formula 2 and Formula 3 field sizes thinned out a newly added third DRS zone at Spa to enhance overtaking actions over the weekend.

🌐 Global Racing Highlights

  • Kings Royal Repeat: In American dirt track racing, Anthony Macri made history on July 19 by winning his second consecutive Kings Royal crown at Eldora Speedway.
  • IndyCar Nashville Qualifying: On July 18, ⁠IndyCar drivers tackled the high-speed concrete oval qualifying setup in Nashville, with Kein Simpson locking in a strong P7 average.
  • WEC Hypercar Shakeup: Fallout from endurance racing saw BMW M Team WRT surviving a physical battle to stay in the Hypercar title hunt.

🚗 Vehicle Releases and Market Launches

  • Alfa Romeo SUV Strategies: On July 14, Stellantis Europe chief Emanuele Cappellano officially detailed ⁠Alfa Romeo’s mid-sized SUV launch plan at Italy’s Industry Ministry, locking production to the Melfi plant alongside a 2027 Fiat 500 battery overhaul.
  • German EV Prices Plummet: A widespread market report published mid-week highlighted that ⁠German EV real-world transaction prices fell 18% as the domestic European market matures, making entry-level premium BEVs vastly more accessible.
  • Ford Federal Tariff Lawsuit: In North America, a massive ⁠class-action lawsuit was filed against Ford in a Michigan federal court, demanding the automaker pass its expected $1.3 billion federal import tariff refund directly back to US consumers.
  • US Tariff Sunset Warning: Automotive trade bodies warned manufacturers this week regarding the expiration of the temporary global 10% tariff on July 24, forcing US and European OEMs to restructure logistics for incoming vehicle components.

🏁 Conclusion

This week reinforced that the automotive world is moving at a breakneck pace, both on the track and in the showroom. The open-wheel landscape continues to favor youth and aggressive strategies, while western product portfolios are rapidly adjusting to shifting economic tariffs and consumer EV demand. Make sure to check back next week as we preview the upcoming F1 round at the Hungaroring and look at end-of-month vehicle deliveries.

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