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In this long cold winter, there are many hot topics being discussed in the MotoGP panorama, starting with the comparison with F1 which has given rise to the idea of introducing Sprint races in all rounds of the championship, starting from 2023. These were precisely two of the main aspects that Dorna CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta, talked about in an interview granted to our colleagues at Motorsport.com, explaining the need for MotoGP to increase its notoriety.
"At the show level, F1 is number one in the motorsport spectrum. Our obligation is to gain popularity, but without F1 being the reference – commented Ezpeleta - That F1 is popular helps us a lot. It is true that they have grown a lot lately, and I don't think it is exclusively due to Drive to Survive, although it has clearly helped. My opinion is the popularity is going in waves. Recently, F1 was in trouble and we were the best of the best. What you have to try is to focus on yours and work to the best of your ability. We only copy from F1 what interests us”.
While the adoption of Sprint races in F1 was gradual, the case of MotoGP is different, where a race on Saturday has immediately been inserted into the championship program, doubling the number of races on the calendar.
"From the first moment we were clear that they should be incorporated into all the races. If your reason for it is to give a boost to the activity on Saturdays, you have to standardise it – the Spanish promoter pointed out - In addition, this new format has another effect, on Sunday. With the disappearance of the Moto2 and Moto3 warm-ups, and the reduction of the MotoGP warm-up, a window opens in which more promotional activities can be carried out with the riders. Both on circuits and on television. This initiative has been received with great enthusiasm by local promoters and operators, and what you cannot do is offer it to some Grands Prix and not to others."
Valentino Rossi's retirement and the disappearance of heartfelt rivalries between the riders are two of the circumstances that in recent years have led to a progressive decline in attention towards the World Championship, which has translated into a decrease in its audience. An aspect that certainly does not go well with the CEO of the championship, who still considers the situation less serious than it might seem.
“Last year there were places where, for a variety of reasons, we weren't at the level we should have been. There are times when mistakes are made in certain things. I have an obligation to study what we have done right and what we are doing wrong. First to continue on that line and second to improve it. But I in no way agree with the catastrophe that some are talking about. There's no depression - commented Ezpeleta, happy with the respect that reigns in MotoGP - Last week Sport rewarded me for the values transmitted by our championship. The riders exhibit a rivalry that no one can question, yet at the same time they show respect for one another. I have already said that I didn't like the peak of interest we had in 2015, after the clash between Valentino, Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo. Maybe I'm being too frank, but I think rivalry should be about the desire to win. I didn't think the final of the World Championship was particularly difficult. You don't need riders to fight each other to attract people."
Popularity is welcome, but only under certain conditions, because Carmelo doesn't seem to like the motto "for better or for worse, as long as everyone talks about it": "I didn't like it when Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa didn't talk to each other, and I didn’t like it when Rossi and Biaggi hit each other on the steps of the podium in Montmeló. I like rivalry because it helps sport and popularity. But I don't think it's wrong to behave in a polite manner - underlined the Spaniard, who doesn't want to speculate on this type of behaviour - In boxing, it is clear that the organizer wants boxers to insult and even spit on each other during the weigh-in. But I, due to my background, disagree. For me, for example, it's okay to win, but don't make fun of the loser. I think these values can be sold; if you need to sell more, I'm not the right person".
