Dorna’s sporting director, Carlos Ezpeleta, has outlined what manufacturers like BMW and Suzuki must do to enter the MotoGP grid in the future.
BMW has expressed interest in joining MotoGP after an impressive season in the World Superbike Championship, where Toprak Razgatlioglu clinched the title. Meanwhile, Suzuki, which made the shock decision to exit MotoGP in 2022, has recently left the door open for a potential return to the premier class of motorcycle racing.
Ezpeleta explained the current stance on welcoming new manufacturers to the championship, emphasizing that while more brands could enhance the sport, it all depends on the brand’s performance, investment, and promotional efforts.
“The championship is in an incredible moment sportingly,” Ezpeleta told Relevo. “More factories would be better, but it depends on the performance and investment from the brand. The door is open, but any new manufacturer must reach an agreement with existing teams. Our goal is not to exceed 22 riders and 11 teams.”
Currently, there are 11 teams on the MotoGP grid, each with its own value. If a new manufacturer were to enter, they would need to collaborate with an existing team to maintain the balance of the competition. Ezpeleta also pointed out that Dorna has been working on a technical regulation to ensure that any new manufacturer can join with a reasonable investment, which would also help ensure the business viability of the new entry.
A significant change is coming to the grid in 2025, with Ducati’s presence being reduced. After dominating the championship for two years, Ducati will see its bikes cut from eight to four, with the factory bikes dropping from four to three. Meanwhile, Yamaha has expanded, recruiting the Pramac satellite team from Ducati, bringing their total presence to four bikes.
Ezpeleta emphasized that Dorna has always aimed for equality in the sport, both in terms of competition and technical regulations. “This year, we’ve seen that difference shrink,” he said. “Jorge [Martin] becoming champion is proof that the gap between the teams has closed. The situation of eight Ducatis on the track was simply due to the free market dynamics, where private teams wanted the best at the best price.”
Ezpeleta also highlighted recent updates to the concession system, aiming to make the current setup more relevant to the sport’s modern needs. This reflects Dorna’s ongoing commitment to balancing competition and ensuring the sport remains dynamic and accessible to new manufacturers.
Leave a Reply