For months, the negotiations fueled all sorts of paddock speculation. Some imagined manufacturers on the verge of leaving the championship. Others feared a power struggle between the factories and the new owners of MotoGP. In the end, none of that happened. On the contrary, Brno presented an almost unexpected image: that of a championship capable of bringing Ducati, Aprilia, KTM, Honda, and Yamaha together around the same table to shape the future of the next decade.
For Carlos EzpeletaThis signature represents much more than a simple administrative renewal.
« That may have seemed to be the case, but for us, it wasn't. We started discussions here in Brno less than a year ago, which is a very short time for an agreement of this magnitude. Especially since, firstly, the manufacturers had to consult with each other, and being rivals on the track, that wasn't easy. We are pleased to be able to make this announcement; We are all united for the future of MotoGP The negotiations were successful. »
At first glance, the speech resembles what one usually hears during this type of announcement. Yet, behind this official satisfaction lies a much deeper shift. Because what was signed at Brno does not only guarantee the presence of the five manufacturers until 2031. What has really been agreed upon is a new way of conceiving MotoGP.
Since the arrival of Liberty MediumMany were trying to understand which direction the championship would take. The answer is now becoming clear. Liberty doesn't want to transform the races. Liberty wants to transform everything around them.
The most revealing statement of this conference, in fact, did not come from a factory manager but from Carlos Ezpeleta He himself explained the ambition pursued by the new owners: to transform the twenty-two Grand Prix races on the calendar into twenty-two Super Bowls. The expression may seem provocative, but it is extremely revealing.
Carlos Ezpeleta: “ For me, everything hinges on what happens outside of the MotoGP circuits. »
Because one Super Bowl It's not simply a sporting event. It's a meeting place. cultural, media, economic et popular which goes far beyond the confines of the field. And it is precisely this type of model that MotoGP is now seeking to replicate.
« For me, everything hinges on what happens outside the circuits. We organize very high-level events and we want to raise others to the same level. I'm talking about the overall offering, even off-track, in terms of hospitality, merchandising, and promotion carried out by the teams and manufacturers.Even during weeks without racing. »
This statement deserves closer examination. For decades, the MotoGP It used to operate according to a relatively simple logic: public attention peaked on Sunday afternoon, then waned until the following weekend. Now, the objective is quite different. It's no longer just about filling the stands for three days. The goal is to occupy media space throughout the year..
In other words, MotoGP wants to become a permanent fixture. And to achieve this, Liberty Medium don't rely solely on DornaThe manufacturers themselves will have to change their scale.
« We are delighted to invest more in the teams, and their responsibilities will be increased. This will include having a functional demonstration motorcycle, expanding the marketing and communications team, and creating more varied liveries throughout the year.These new features are sure to appeal to our current fans, as well as new ones."For a long time, manufacturers considered their involvement in MotoGP primarily from a sporting and technological perspective. Now, they are also becoming..." actors of the showTheir role will no longer be solely to develop the fastest motorcycle. They will also have to produce content, tell stories, and engage with social media. participate in the construction of the MotoGP product.
It is precisely here that some observers begin to see the direct influence of Liberty MediumOfficially, Carlos Ezpeleta rejects any opposition between the two structures. As you can imagine, we've been working closely with Liberty Media over the past few months, as a lot has happened very quickly. We started working with them last July, right when we were beginning discussions about this deal, and it was also a time when we were getting to know each other. But there isn't Liberty Media on one side and MotoGP on the other; it's one and the same company, as in Formula 1As I said, we were perfectly aligned. »
This last sentence is undoubtedly the most important of his entire speech. We were perfectly aligned.In other words, the current MotoGP strategy is already that of Liberty MediumAnd this strategy isn't just about marketing. It also affects the geography of the championship.
For several years, MotoGP has sought to conquer new markets. But today, this ambition has become a clearly stated priority. China It is naturally part of it. The Chinese market is already attractive to manufacturers involved in the world championship; we are in discussions with China. »
A short, almost innocuous sentence. Yet everyone in the paddock understands what it means. No global market today can ignore the economic weight of the ChinaNeither the builders. Nor the developers. Nor the distributors.
However, Ezpeleta gives no sign of being immediately open to new builders.
« We are satisfied with the ones we already have; we believe we have the most important brands. We do not want more than 22 pilots in the next five years. If a new player arrives, it will be because he has reached an agreement with a team. »
The message is crystal clear. MotoGP wants to grow, but not at the cost of diluting his athletic level. The same logic appears when he talks about the urban circuitsSince the announcement of the project...AdelaideSome fear a proliferation of races inspired by Las Vegas or Miami.
Ezpeleta is being much more cautious. Two types of circuits are evolving in this direction. The first is Buenos Aireswhich is not an urban circuit, but a permanent circuit in a city of 14 million inhabitants, therefore easier to build. On the other hand, circuits like AdelaideTruly urban projects are more difficult to achieve because they require the will of the government and the space. »
In reality, MotoGP is primarily seeking to bring races closer to major urban centers without abandoning its heritage. And that heritage remains essential. Because despite all the commercial ambitions displayed in Brno, Carlos Ezpeleta was keen to reiterate a fundamental principle. "The best should make it to MotoGP." »
This statement comes when he discusses the Spanish and Italian dominance on the starting grids. A dominance that regularly draws criticism. However, we know that the non-Spanish and non-Italian pilots do not have the same opportunities"The championship is therefore aware of the problem without wanting to establish a logic of quotas or artificial representation.
Finally, the conference provided an opportunity to address another topic that has become a hot topic since the accident of George Martin departing from Hungarian Grand Prix : security. And here again, the figures revealed by Ezpeleta are striking.
« Since the introduction of the front lowering device, accidents at the first turn have tripled per start. That's the problemThis statistic explains why discussions about expanding grid space and removing certain technical features are so important today. Because behind commercial ambitions, behind new markets, and behind marketing strategies, the MotoGP He knows he cannot afford to lose what gives him credibility: sport.
On the one hand, Liberty Medium pushes the championship towards a more global, more media-driven, and more spectacular dimension. On the other hand, the leaders of the MotoGP They tirelessly reiterate that racing must remain at the heart of the project. The coming years will tell if this balance is truly possible. But one thing is already certain: MotoGP of 2031 will bear very little resemblance to the one we have known until now.
