Marco Bezzecchi
Guenther Steiner became the first major F1 figure to step into the world of MotoGP by taking over Tech3, but Red Bull Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen may soon follow him.
The Formula 1 paddock is on red alert to the potential benefits of holding a greater interest in MotoGP, beyond following the premier class of two-wheel racing as a fan, in the wake of Liberty Media’s arrival. F1 has already seen what Liberty has done for the four-wheel scene.
Steiner’s takeover of Tech3 from Herve Poncharal marks the first foray into MotoGP by an F1 personality since Liberty’s takeover. But Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton is looking to invest in a MotoGP team, and his arch F1 nemesis Verstappen also has his entourage contacting teams.
Even Dorna has asked MotoGP teams whether they would be prepared to sell, as interest in owning a premier class operation continues to swell ahead of the expected rise in valuations from Liberty’s visions. F1 team values have exploded since Liberty bought the series in 2017.
LCR owner Lucio Cecchinello warns Max Verstappen that the MotoGP sponsor market is a ‘mess’
It is said that Verstappen’s camp has contacted Honda and Aprilia to discuss buying out their respective shares in LCR and Trackhouse. Yet the Red Bull F1 driver is unlikely to become the 100% owner of LCR, as Lucio Cecchinello is only open to a minority investor joining his team.
READ MORE: Everything to know about LCR from the MotoGP team’s riders to Honda ties
Cecchinello even explained to Motor Sport Magazine at the Catalan Grand Prix last weekend that Verstappen would face a “mess” if he owned LCR. The sponsorship market in MotoGP is not currently in a position where owners can rely on selling advertising to grow their teams.
LCR founder Cecchinello said: “Yes, an investor can just buy some shares in the team, can provide an ‘X’ amount of money that can be used to increase the number of collaborators, increase the facility and have a bigger hospitality, bigger garage facility and so on.
“But this represents a fixed cost that we may also face in the following years.
“Having an investor that can help you to bring the team to the next level, where you do not have the guarantee that you are going to suddenly find new sponsors to finance the next stage of your team operation, is going to be a mess.
“The sponsorship market for MotoGP…it’s still quite weak, I would say.”
Max Verstappen could help Lucio Cecchinello entice big-name sponsors to join LCR
LCR owner Cecchinello also highlighted how MotoGP teams are extremely reliant on energy drink brands and lubricant companies for a large percentage of their sponsorship. LCR even divide their bikes, with Castrol branding for Johann Zarco and Idemitsu for Somkiat Chantra.
It was also only after Idemitsu came on board back in 2018 that LCR expanded to a two-bike satellite Honda team, as the Japanese petroleum company funds the seat for an Asian rider. But Castrol is expected to back all four Honda bikes in 2026, with LCR parting from Idemitsu.
Verstappen’s name as a four-time F1 world champion could help LCR entice more big-name sponsors to join Cecchinello’s team, if the Dutchman were to become a full or part-owner in the Monaco-based outfit. The 27-year-old also already has close ties to Red Bull and Honda.
The 66-time F1 Grand Prix winner has been a part of the Red Bull family since 2014, and has only raced for the Austrian energy drink giant’s F1 teams since debuting in 2015. Verstappen also built ties to Honda after the Japanese brand became Red Bull’s engine partner in 2019.
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