Marco Bezzecchi
Former F1 team chief Helmut Marko has identified the problem with MotoGP that has stopped the premier class from being as big as its four-wheeled counterpart.
Formula 1 has experienced a massive amount of growth over the last few years, mostly due to Liberty Media’s acquisition of the sport’s commercial rights and the subsequent investment they poured into it.
The American media conglomerate entered the world of two-wheels through its purchase of Dorna Sports (later rebranded to MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group) nearly 12 months ago.
What are your thoughts on Liberty Media taking MotoGP down the same route as F1?
Pedro Acosta thinks it's the right move
We have already seen Liberty Media’s DNA in several decisions that have already been made, including the move of the Australian Grand Prix from the fan-favourite Phillip Island circuit to a brand-new street track in Adelaide’s city centre from 2027.
Of course, it is no secret that the media giants are attempting to turn the premier class into a profitable venture akin to what they did with F1, and Red Bull Racing’s former special advisor believes he has now identified the main problem with MotoGP’s growth.
Helmut Marko says MotoGP needs a ‘real star rider’ to improve growth
In an interview with the Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung, Marko was asked for the latest on the country’s premier racing circuit, the Red Bull Ring.
Following his retirement from F1 at the end of the 2025 campaign, the 83-year-old became the race track’s official ambassador in an attempt to bolster interest in the different events that take place there.
What’s the main reason that MotoGP isn’t as big as F1?
Helmut Marko thinks it's down to a lack of star power
Despite being a staple of the calendar for the last ten years, MotoGP has seen a stark drop in the number of fans attending the Austrian Grand Prix.
Weekend attendance peaked in 2023 with 173,000 spectators taking to the Styrian hills, but figures from last year’s race weekend saw just 117,560 fans attend – a drastic drop of nearly 56,000 absent supporters.
“Formula 1 is running as usual, so there’s no need to worry about that,” Marko began, before sharing a glass-half-empty verdict on MotoGP with, “Things aren’t looking so good for MotoGP, which I don’t quite understand, as the races are extremely exciting.
- READ MORE: Austrian Grand Prix boss makes Valentino Rossi point when asked about empty seats at Red Bull Ring
“When Red Bull first got involved, MotoGP actually attracted bigger crowds than Formula 1. That changed, partly due to the successes of their own team. In Europe, most MotoGP races are sold out; only Silverstone, Hungary and Austria have struggled.”
He went on to identify the three race weekends that Spain hosts, as well as the lack of star power, as two of the biggest reasons why the sport is not currently at the same level as its four-wheel counterparts.
“One problem is certainly the over-reliance on Spain,” he added. “There’s certainly a lack of a real star rider; only Marc Marquez really stands out. However, with Liberty’s takeover, things should change in that regard.”
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