MotoGP files away in the archives its first season under Liberty Media management with signs of growth and a clear vision for the future. Following the U.S. group's acquisition of 84 percent of Dorna Sports, Carmelo Ezpeleta remains CEO, while his son Carlos, sporting director, is taking an increasingly central role in the championship's strategy.
Interviewed by Motorsport.com, Ezpeleta commented on the 12 percent increase in the fanbase: "We're very happy with the growth trend, because it's the result of the work we've been doing for many years. The metrics confirm that we are heading in the right direction." A figure that marks "the beginning of a new era for MotoGP," with strong investments in brand and the sport itself.
Despite the ambitions, Ezpeleta is urging realistic expectations, especially in the comparison with Formula 1: "We are two very different animals. F1 is a unique and exceptional case in the history of the sport; it shouldn't be something to replicate. MotoGP, however, is already at a very high level and has managed to captivate 600 million fans worldwide," with wide margins for commercial growth.
On the arrival of Liberty Media, the sporting director reassures, "We were very honest from the very beginning with them about the championship we manage - what we believed would come sooner and what might take longer. Liberty is extremely happy with what it has acquired." In this context, negotiations on the new agreement with the teams are also at a good point: "We are in the final stages. I think we are aligned."
A central theme remains investment in marketing and visibility. "The value the manufacturers get from MotoGP is enormous, astronomical even," Ezpeleta points out. "They still apply the principle of 'win on Sunday, sell on Monday.' What's happening is that resources are being focused primarily on racing. If more were invested in attracting new fans to the sport, it would benefit everyone. You can't invest the same amount and expect greater returns."
Investor interest, meanwhile, shows no signs of waning: "We receive calls every single week from funds and individuals interested in investing in MotoGP. The same goes for circuits, with strong demand especially from Asia, the Middle East and South America, "this will inevitably force us to make decisions on Europe."