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A few days ago, Reuters news agency reported that the European Union's Antitrust Authority seemed convinced in allowing Liberty Media's takeover of Dorna Sports, meaning that the MotoGP is ready to change hands, ending up under the aegis of the same company that controls the Formula 1. This would be a momentous change, for which Carmelo Ezpeleta is already preparing. One clue was the announcement of all the renewals with Grand Prix promoters, the same strategy Bernie Ecclestone had adopted before leaving the F1 to the Americans.
At the same time, there are rumors in the paddock about what will happen when the deal is finalized. The consensus is that Ezpeleta will surrender his role to a new manager, as far as managing the Championship is concerned. Rumors arrived from the United States of Chuck Aksland being chosen as the new CEO. Wayne Rainey's right-hand man in the MotoAmerica would have a stars-and-stripes passport on his side, but maybe not the best resumé in the business.
So, in the Losail paddock, another name - which our Carlo Pernat had proposed in unsuspected times - has returned to the fore: that of Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing's current CEO. The manager from Faenza knows both worlds well. He was born and raised in the Formula 1, starting with Minardi, passing through Toro Rosso, and ending up in Ferrari. He then arrived in the MotoGP with Aprilia. His profile is very interesting, and he also boasts a long-standing friendship with Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group.
On paper, he seems like the ideal solution, even if, for now, these are only mere rumors but ones taht often have an element of truth to them. It's going to take a few weeks before we know if the Antitrust Authority will give its approval, then everything else will follow suit.
