Marco Bezzecchi
The MotoGP paddock has arrived in Austin for the Grand Prix of the Americas this weekend. It is the premier class’ only race in the US – but that may change.
Dorna Sports is being subject to a takeover from Liberty Media. The American company agreed a deal worth around £3.5bn to acquire 86% of the MotoGP owners.
The deal is subject to an investigation from the European Union due to concerns that it could limit competition in broadcasting and streaming markets. Dorna hope the deal will be done in the summer – MotoGP will be set to transform under Liberty’s ownership.
The American media company have had incredible success with Formula 1, transforming the sport into a global empire. Liberty have been key for the sport to break the American market and will look to do the same with MotoGP.
There have been talks that select Grand Prix will be placed on the same weekend as F1, exposing the sport to new fans. Furthermore, there have been rumours of a second race in the US being added to the calendar.
According to journalist Neil Morrison, one circuit appears to be ‘pretty serious’ about getting into MotoGP.
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People at the ‘very top’ of Barber Motorsports Park are ‘pretty serious’ about joining MotoGP calendar
MotoGP have been racing at the Circuit of the Americas since 2013. With F1 having three US races on the calendar under Liberty’s ownership (Austin, Miami, Las Vegas) there have been discussions about adding more Grand Prix in America into the premier class.
Several options have already been mentioned, but it appears Barber Motorsports Park is a serious candidate. Speaking on the Paddock Pass Podcast in Austin, Morrison says people at the ‘very top’ of the facility are trying to push the track into the ‘mainstream’ in MotoGP.
“I heard today, just speaking to one or two who may be associated with the local media here that they are pretty serious about potentially getting on the MotoGP calendar,” he said.
“We know that there could be interest from Dorna to have more than one race in America, if Liberty, if the acquisition comes to pass midway through this year, as Dorna are hoping.
“There’s been a couple of different places mentioned but from what I’ve heard today, the people at the very top of the Barber Motorsport facility are interested in that and they’re trying to push their profile a bit into the mainstream here this weekend.
“I heard today that money is no object there, so if they have to increase the length by 0.8 miles then that will not be a problem.”
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What IndyCar legend Scott Dixon has said about Barber Motorsports Park
Barber is a main staple of the IndyCar calendar, having run races since 2010. It is also used during the off-season for teams to test their machines, as well as give rookies a chance to show their skills.
Furthermore, the circuit also hosts motorcycle races in MotoAmerica. The AMA Superbike Series has been racing at Barber since 2015, making it perfectly equipped to host MotoGP.
The facility’s owner will push their agenda in the paddock in Austin to try and get onto the calendar. Barber has received great praise from top racers, including IndyCar legend Scott Dixon.
The six-time champion previously said: “Barber is very unique, there are some really tight and blind turns, The course has some elevation and is not completely flat which makes it very interesting and a more intense race.”
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