In a historic first, MotoGP will be featured at the heart of a Formula 1 weekend. On Saturday, October 24, four prototypes from the premier class will take to the track at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, in front of an expected crowd of over 400,000 spectators throughout the Grand Prix. Dani Pedrosa, Nicolò Bulega, Andrea Dovizioso, and Lorenzo Savadori will be the ambassadors for an event that goes beyond a simple demonstration: introducing MotoGP to F1 fans, now that both championships are owned by Liberty Media.
For once, Formula 1 engines won't be the only ones making the Circuit of the Americas roar. On Saturday, October 24 , spectators at the United States Grand Prix will see four MotoGP bikes racing on the Texas track.
A unique demonstration during a Formula 1 weekend, with a carefully selected lineup representing several manufacturers. And a clear objective: to attract an audience that doesn't necessarily follow MotoGP.
Four drivers, four manufacturers and a historic first in Austin
Dani Pedrosa will represent KTM, Nicolò Bulega Ducati, Andrea Dovizioso Yamaha and Lorenzo Savadori Aprilia. Four riders with very different backgrounds, but brought together to offer a spectacular demonstration.
Pedrosa , three-time world champion and a key figure in MotoGP, is intimately familiar with COTA's requirements. Dovizioso , Marc Marquez 's former title rival, will also bring his experience. Savadori , Aprilia test rider, will represent a brand currently at the peak of its competitiveness. As for Bulega , the 2026 Superbike World Champion and future VR46 Ducati rider, he will embody the transition to the new generation of MotoGP.
The demonstration is scheduled from 11:40 to 12:00 local time, just before Formula 1 Free Practice 3. No race or timed confrontation: a few fast laps will be enough to show the performance of these prototypes.
Pedrosa: “ Speed, noise, and performance must be experienced live. »
Dani Pedrosa makes no secret of his enthusiasm. " It's always a special moment to ride a MotoGP bike at COTA, one of the most legendary circuits in the world ." The Spaniard sees this initiative primarily as an opportunity to introduce the sport to new spectators.
" Speed, noise, and performance are things you have to experience live, and I can't wait to share them with the fans in Austin . "
With their accelerations, braking maneuvers, and lean angles that can exceed 60 degrees, MotoGP bikes offer a radically different spectacle from single-seaters. It's a difference that the organizers intend to highlight.
Bulega: already a charm offensive before 2027
For Nicolò Bulega , this demonstration has an added dimension. The Italian will join MotoGP in 2027 with VR46, after his Superbike world title. He will therefore be able to introduce himself to the American public even before his official debut in the premier class.
“ Offering MotoGP to such a large audience is a fantastic opportunity .” Bulega also hopes to give a taste of his future career. “ We want to put on a spectacular show and give the fans a preview of what awaits them when I return here to MotoGP in 2027. ”
A way to build its reputation with an audience that the championship is specifically seeking to win over.
Liberty Media is beginning to bring its two leagues closer together.
Beyond the spectacle, this initiative has commercial and strategic implications. Liberty Media now controls Formula 1 and MotoGP , two disciplines whose audiences partially overlap, but whose international viewership and visibility remain very different.
Presenting MotoGP during an F1 weekend allows motorcycle racing to be showcased to spectators who might never have attended a Grand Prix in the premier category.
The choice of Austin is not insignificant. The United States represents an important market for the international development of MotoGP, and the Circuit of the Americas already hosts both championships.
A dedicated fan zone will also be set up during the weekend, with the four motorcycles on display and various activities.
An American showcase in Austin while the championship takes place in Australia
The unique aspect of this operation also lies in the timing. While the MotoGP regulars will be competing in the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island , their test rider counterparts will be putting on a show in Texas.
Two continents, two major events, and the same sport showcased. For Liberty Media , this demonstration resembles a first concrete application of the potential synergies between Formula 1 and MotoGP.
And for American spectators, it will be the perfect opportunity to discover that beyond four wheels, Austin also has another way of expressing speed: on two wheels, with the elbow a few centimeters from the asphalt.
