Marco Bezzecchi
MotoGP are set to enter an exciting new era after Formula 1’s owners Liberty Media have completed their takeover of the premier class.
The deal, which will also see the American media company take over World Superbikes, has been in the pipeline since last year. While Dorna admitted the timeline for Liberty’s takeover was ambitious, everything is now agreed, and MotoGP and F1 are under the same owners.
Liberty have had immense success with F1, having transformed the sport by skyrocketing their global audience. It is anticipated that MotoGP will receive the same boost, and the company could use the same methods, such as a Drive to Survive-style documentary series.
It has also been rumoured that MotoGP races could be placed on the same weekend as F1, exposing the sport to new fans. Understandably, however, the takeover has been met with some scepticism in terms of what Liberty will actually bring to the premier class.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali outlines Liberty’s ‘duty’ to work with MotoGP after takeover
Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton says Liberty must modernise MotoGP, seeing the immense potential the sport has. The 40-year-old is a keen admirer of the sport, with Hamilton having held talks with Gresini over becoming an investor.
Speaking via The Race F1 Podcast, CEO Stefano Domenicali revealed Liberty’s plans as MotoGP owners. He says he has an ‘incredible relationship’ with Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, and he says he will ‘make sure’ that the two categories learn from one another.
“I think that it’s a good opportunity for our shareholders to have the two top platforms of the motorsport world,” said Domenicali.
“And I think that our duty is to make sure that we give our experience to our fans of Dorna. As you know, I have an incredible relationship with Carmelo Ezpeleta and his people and his son Carlos and everyone there.
“And we can also learn something from them, because what I hate is to think that we are the best and the others are not the best. So, we’re going to share a lot of information, we’re going to make sure that everyone is… the entire way of managing the business is able to learn.
“And definitely, there will be synergies that we can work together in which we develop. And we will start working, because as you know, that acquisition has been formalised just a couple of weeks ago.”
READ MORE: Liberty Media could now help Jack Miller stay on the MotoGP grid after taking over from Dorna
What Liberty Media should and should not do as MotoGP owners
MotoGP’s new owners will need to bring in the right people to ensure that the category grows in their new era. Reports suggested that Liberty could bring in Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola onto the board to help their efforts.
KTM chief Pit Beirer wants Liberty to make MotoGP a ‘huge show’ and attract a new audience. With attendances reaching new heights in 2025, there is certainly scope to increase the fanbase even further.
However, there are significant changes that are needed in the sport. Liberty must make changes to Sprint races after Marc Marquez has won 11 of the opening 12 races on Saturdays this season; Enea Bastianini became the first non-Ducati rider to score a podium in a Sprint race at Brno.
Such dominance will not do Liberty any favours when it comes to attracting new fans to watch the sport. There is also the issue of circuits and the dangers that are apparent with them.
MotoGP fans are ‘out’ if Liberty introduce street circuits, which have become popular on the F1 calendar. The extreme danger of these tracks for motorcycle riders does not need to be explained and must not be added to the premier class under their ownership.
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