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Dorna has allocated 4.5 million euros to private MotoGP teams to support them in this difficult situation. The news was revealed by the Spanish newspaper AS which claims that Bridgepoint and Canadian Public Pension Investments, the two largest shareholders of the company that organizes the world championship, have given the green light to the plan.
The teams are in fact currently in a difficult economic position due to the stop in the championship and Dorna has acted to ensure their survival. The contribution will be 250,000 per month for 3 months (April, May, June) with the possibility of extending it if the championship is further delayed.
Six premier class teams will benefit from this financial aid: Gresini Aprilia, Petronas Yamaha, LCR Honda, Pramac Ducati, Avintia Ducati and Tech3 KTM, while the aid is not foreseen for the factory teams.
Emergency funds will be paid into the teams’ coffers through IRTA (the association of teams) in the form of an advance for prize-monies and race bonuses but, even if the races don’t go ahead, they would not be required to return it.
For now, this manoeuvre only concerns the teams of the premier class, those of Moto2 and Moto3 have already received €25,000 per rider and the plan aims to increase the sum in the near future.
UPDATE – Dorna has now confirmed the news with the following press release
The ongoing coronavirus outbreak is affecting many people, industries and sports across the world, including the MotoGP World Championship.
With the agreement of the FIM and the full commitment from shareholders Bridgepoint Capital and CPP Investments, Dorna Sports is proud to be able to assure help for MotoGP Class Independent Teams through this difficult moment in the history of our sport, as well as teams in the Moto2 and Moto3 classes.
Through the International Road-Racing Teams Association, MotoGP Independent Teams will each receive considerable advance payments during the months of April, May and June, irrespective of whether activity is restarted or not. This is in order to guarantee the economic well-being of the Independent Teams and their staff, as well as to secure their subsistence for the future.
In addition, IRTA has already made payments to all Moto2 and Moto3 teams to support them during this difficult period. Further measures for the intermediate and lightweight class teams will be considered in due course.
As previously stated, Dorna Sports is working hard to try and ensure that this crisis leaves all those in the MotoGP World Championship with only one consequence; that of a modified calendar.
