Liberty Media's acquisition of Dorna Sports, valued at €4,2 billion, is dragging on like a never-ending soap opera. The new deadline is July 1, 2025, according to Reuters (March 12), after yet another postponement by the European Commission, which is scrutinizing antitrust risks. In Austin, as Marc Marquez aims for a 5/5, the paddock is buzzing: Liberty is already acting as the king, and Carmelo Ezpeleta, 80 in August, could cede his throne. GPOne has revealed the name: Chuck Aksland, the American from MotoAmerica, is reportedly the favorite to take over the reins of MotoGP.
The process of acquiring Dorna Sports by Liberty Medium continues to generate a lot of ink, with a new deadline set at 1er July, further delaying the final decision on the future of MotoGP management. Despite this uncertainty, it seems that Liberty Medium is already convinced that the acquisition will take place and is actively preparing its first major change in the organization of MotoGP.
According to GP One, one of the main changes could concern Carmelo Ezpeleta, the current boss of MotoGP, who could be replaced by Chuck Aksland, a key man in the organization of MotoAmerica in recent years. Aksland worked alongside motorcycling legends such as Kenny roberts et Wayne Rainey, and he is often described as the real organizer behind MotoAmerica's growing success.
The arrival ofAksland at the head of MotoGP could be a way for Liberty Medium to strengthen the American presence in a championship that is still relatively unknown in the United States, despite the Austin Grand Prix and efforts to attract a wider audience.
Aksland better embodies the “Made in USA” strategy that Liberty Media wants to impose
The idea would be to bring MotoGP closer to the American market and make it more accessible to the American public, creating a more "Americanized" dynamic for the championship. This decision would also be facilitated by the popularity of MotoAmerica and the growing links between the two championships.
As for Carmelo Ezpeleta, he is approaching retirement and, although he has not yet announced his official departure, it seems that the arrival of Liberty Medium will mark the end of his long reign at the helm of MotoGP. Another question remains: his son, Carlos Ezpeleta, currently MotoGP's sporting director, will he continue to be part of the organization after this change of direction?
In addition Aksland, other names have circulated as potential successors to Carmelo EzpeletaIncluding Stefano domenicali, the boss of Formula 1, and Massimo rivola, current director ofAprilia. However, Aksland seems to be Liberty Media's preferred profile to lead MotoGP into a new era, marked by greater American influence.
First, it will be necessary that European Union approves Liberty Media's acquisition of Dorna, but if this process continues without obstacles, we could see significant changes in the organization of MotoGP, with a transfer of power at the head of the championship.
