Marco Bezzecchi
Lando Norris is among several Formula 1 drivers who have openly expressed a keen interest in MotoGP.
Support for MotoGP from the F1 world is nothing new, but it is expected to skyrocket over the next few months, as Liberty Media acquire the premier class from Dorna. The two-wheeled and four-wheeled categories are now under the same ownership.
Given Liberty’s success in F1 with expanding their global audience and revenue, MotoGP is expected to have the same growth in interest. In fact, it is already happening, with several key figures looking to get involved in the sport.
Guenther Steiner will take over Tech3 in 2026, assuming the role of CEO from Herve Poncharal. The former Haas team principal is among many people from F1 to admire MotoGP; Norris joins him, and it is all down to Valentino Rossi.
Lando Norris claims MotoGP is ‘much cooler’ than Formula 1 as he discusses his idol Valentino Rossi
Norris has been clear that Rossi was his inspiration in his racing career. He has had a keen interest in motorbikes and MotoGP, but ended up going down the four-wheel path to F1.
Speaking to De Limburger, the McLaren driver claimed that MotoGP is ‘much cooler’ than F1 as he discussed how Rossi goes about his life in the premier class as team owner of VR46.
“Did you know that Valentino inspired me to start racing?” he said. “As a little boy, I was a huge fan. He made me want a motorbike too. Later, that turned into a go-kart, probably because I thought it was safer.
“What always fascinated me was how charismatically Valentino knew how to deal with the media. I recently spent a whole weekend with him during a MotoGP race in Misano. I talked to him a lot, including about these kinds of things.
“I can learn so much from him and feel blessed to be in a position to discuss such matters with him. Actually, now that we’re talking about it, I think MotoGP is much cooler than Formula 1, haha.”
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Valentino Rossi from stats to net worth
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton among F1 figures looking to buy a MotoGP team
As aforementioned, several key figures in F1 are looking to get involved in MotoGP. With teams’ valuations expected to rise, many are eyeing up becoming owners, as they see an opportunity to make a huge profit.
It has been reported that Max Verstappen is interested in buying a MotoGP team, with the four-time F1 champion believed to have spoken to the five satellite teams. He is expected to take a similar approach to Rossi, in that he will not be ‘ultra-involved’ with said team.
LCR and Trackhouse have been the two outfits mentioned the most in connection with the Red Bull driver. However, Trackhouse may not sell to Verstappen, as their current owners are keen to continue their current project.
Verstappen is not alone in wanting to buy a MotoGP team, as Lewis Hamilton has reignited his interest in becoming a team owner. He had previously held talks with Gresini, but those rumours quietened down after they would not sell even for a high figure.
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