Why Dorna have formed ’emergency’ plan to make MotoGP a single-make championship in 2027

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Dorna continue to wield authority in MotoGP even after Liberty Media’s takeover was completed. CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta retains sporting control, while Liberty have acquired the commercial rights.

The deal was nonetheless a seismic moment for the series, and the teams are now negotiating a new framework for the future. There’s an appetite for an F1-style Concorde Agreement, but the proposal hasn’t yet got off the ground.

One of the key tenets of the Agreement is the distribution of revenue. According to GPOne, teams want a greater share based on their results and their importance.

It’s not just the manufacturers either – satellite teams like VR46 are pushing for greater influence. But Dorna are expressing reluctance.

Dorna could give MotoGP teams ‘identical’ bikes in 2027 if they can’t reach agreement with teams

Dorna’s current deal with IRTA – the International Road-Racing Teams Association – runs until the end of 2026. Talks have started over what the next contract will look like.

The scale of the teams’ demands means that it won’t be easy to reach an agreement. And in the event that no deal materialises, Dorna are ready to take ’emergency’ action.

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They could make MotoGP a ‘single-make championship’ for 2027, ensuring that they fulfil their obligations to television partners and host circuits. That would mean every rider is on an identical bike, with Dorna in control of the technical regulations.

In 2028, Moto3 will become a single-make series, with all the motorcycles provided by a single manufacturer. This is considered an absolute last resort for the premier class.

KTM want Liberty Media to introduce the measure that transformed F1

MotoGP fans would be likely be divided if this remarkable scenario ever materialised. In theory, it would lead to greater competition, with rider skill taking on greater weight as opposed to bike performance.

However, it would mean losing the development race, which is also a part of the sport’s DNA. And that’s even before considering the long-term implications.

Dorna may be more amenable to other concepts from the world of F1. For instance, KTM’s new CEO has floated a cost cap, which has levelled the playing field in the four-wheel discipline and vastly improved the financial health of midfield teams.

After a crisis that threatened the company’s very existence, one can understand why KTM are in favour. There may be opposition from the biggest spenders, but the sport needs to learn from the successes of Liberty’s existing operation.