Marco Bezzecchi
MotoGP is soon expected to enter a new era under the ownership of Liberty Media. The American brand are hoping to replicate their success with Formula 1 in the premier class.
Liberty sealed a deal to acquire 86% of Dorna Sports in April last year. Worth up to £3.5bn, the mass media company hoped to get the takeover done by the start of the 2025 MotoGP season.
However, the deal is subject to an investigation by the European Union. Dorna CCO Dan Rossomondo admitted the timeline was ‘very ambitious’ for the takeover to be complete – it is now hoped it will go through by the third quarter of 2025, at the latest.
Liberty have had unbelievable success with F1 since taking over in 2017, skyrocketing its global audience through Sprint weekends, Netflix series Drive to Survive and expanding its fanbase in the USA with three Grand Prix in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas.
They now want to achieve the same success on two wheels, with KTM chief Pit Beirer hoping Liberty turn MotoGP into a ‘huge show’ like F1. Early rumours have suggested the company will move some races on the same weekend to expand the former’s audience.
However, there is one aspect of F1 that several MotoGP fans are hoping Liberty ‘never’ consider when they take over the sport.
MotoGP fans say ‘they’re out’ if Liberty introduce street circuits to the calendar
Liberty have introduced a plethora of street circuits to the F1 calendar in recent years, such as Jeddah, Miami, Las Vegas, Baku and soon, Madrid in 2026.
Obviously, street circuits would be unbelievably dangerous in MotoGP, given the high-speed nature and the barriers being arm-co barriers or concrete walls. Even with the protective barriers and airbag suits in the premier class today, riders still take huge blows when they crash into them.
Franco Morbidelli was knocked unconscious at Jerez after he collided with protective barriers. Despite the dangers, a report from Motorsport claimed that MotoGP could move to street circuits if the necessary safety measures were introduced.
Journalist Mat Oxley responded with complete distain for the idea on X (formerly Twitter). Several fans rushed to the comments of the post to agree with him.
One fan said: “Probably one of the most cringe pieces I’ve read…” while another said: “What ever planet this guy lives on, I don’t want to be a part of.”
Several fans questioned the report for not knowing the dangers of motorbikes on street circuits: “I’d asked said journalist if he would like to ride somewhere like Jeddah on a 300bhp motorcycle with an airbag suit?” said one, while another said: “People that defend this must be people that never ride a motorbike.”
Other fans expressed their disgust for the proposal: “MotoGP should never touch a street circuit period. No debate over it even should ever happen,” argued one fan, while another user echoed: “If MGP even considers it I’m out….”
What circuits are rumoured to be coming to MotoGP under Liberty’s ownership?
While street circuits are already receiving severe backlash – and for good reason – there have been many other tracks already being linked with joining the MotoGP calendar.
As aforementioned, Liberty introduced multiple tracks in the US to F1, and they may look to do the same in MotoGP. Top people at Barber Motorsports Park are ‘very serious’ about getting the circuit on the calendar, having held discussions at the Grand Prix of the Americas.
The Argentina Grand Prix is set to lose its spot on the calendar come 2026. This year’s race at Termas de Rio Hondo could be its last for the foreseeable future.
Brazil is set to replace Argentina on the calendar, having signed a five-year deal to race at Goiania’s Ayrton Senna circuit until at least 2030.
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