In a move that has captivated both media and fans around the world, Liberty Media, already the owner of Formula 1 since 2016, has expanded its footprint in motorsport by acquiring 86% of Dorna Sports, the organizer of the MotoGP world championship. The deal, valued at €4,2 billion, is expected to be finalized before the end of the year, leaving Dorna to retain 14% of its stake and continue to operate independently under Carmelo Ezpeleta as CEO .
Greg maffei, the CEO of Liberty Media, shared his vision for the future of MotoGP during an interview with CNBC, addressing several key points on integration strategy and long-term goals.
On the approach adopted with MotoGP, Maffei has explained : " we do not intend to copy and paste our F1 model onto MotoGP, but we are eager to apply some of the proven strategies with F1 to promote and develop MotoGP. We want to reveal the true potential of this exciting sport to a wider audience."
Concerning the high price of the acquisition, Maffei was optimistic: “ This may seem high, but I am convinced that we will succeed in making MotoGP a must-see sport on a global scale. We will work to introduce everyone to the excitement of MotoGP."
Liberty Media: “ the objective is not to merge operations, but to learn from our experience with F1 to enrich MotoGP »
When asked about the synergies between the F1 and MotoGP, Maffei clarified: “ for now, the two championships will remain separate entities, managed independently. The objective is not to merge operations, but to learn from our experience with F1 to enrich MotoGP."
On the possibilities of geographical expansion of MotoGP, Maffei found : " we plan to increase the presence of MotoGP internationally. Currently there is only one race in the United States, similar to the situation in F1 when we took it over. Although I cannot guarantee three races in the United States, we will explore all opportunities to balance the world calendar without excessively increasing the number of races."
Finally, on the possibility of a “Drive to Survive” media product for MotoGP, Maffei concluded enthusiastically: “ Although we haven't yet discussed this specifically, narrative strategy has been crucial to F1's success. Our goal is to reach all fans, whether they are passionate about technology or the stories of the drivers. We will use every means at our disposal, from social media to storytelling, to connect with fans wherever they are."
