Carmelo Ezpeleta says MotoGP is confident it will reach an agreement with manufacturers over the next commercial cycle from 2027 to 2031, despite negotiations dragging on for nearly a year.
Talks between the series promoter, now operating as MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, and manufacturers are still ongoing, with key aspects of the future structure of the championship yet to be finalised.
Ahead of this month’s Catalan Grand Prix, Circuit de Barcelona’s president Miquel Samper held an event at the historic Hospital de Sant Pau building. Among those present was Ezpeleta, who was the first director of the track.
As he does every year, he spoke with a small group of media representatives after the event to discuss the current state of MotoGP, which has changed significantly since last year.
“Yes, it has changed a lot,” the executive admitted. “Since last year, the agreement with Liberty Media has been definitively approved, and the truth is that things have changed a lot for us. From the outside, it will become apparent more gradually, but the company is transforming, and the outlook is very good.
“There is tremendous interest in MotoGP, especially from many investors and people who want to be part of the teams. And also because of the 22 grand prix races we have – if we could do 27, we’d have cities interested in hosting them. The transition, as it should be, has gone very well, and we’re fully committed to making things better and better.”
Group photo from the presentation of the Catalan GP at the Hospital de Sant Pau
Photo by: Circuit de Barcelona
“I don’t like people who don’t discuss contracts”
However, the commercial agreement between the manufacturers and the MGP Group (Dorna) that is set to run from 2027 to 2031 remains unresolved after nearly a year of negotiations.
“Also regarding the agreement with the manufacturers, the proposal for the future is different from what we had before, and all those changes take time to negotiate,” he said.
“I don’t like people who don’t discuss contracts, because if they don’t discuss it, it means they have no intention of fulfilling it. And we discuss contracts to fulfil them, but we will reach an agreement, for sure.”
Although there are very strong indications that Dorna set the French GP (10 May) as the deadline to begin signing agreements with the teams and manufacturers, Ezpeleta dismissed the idea of a fixed timeline.
“There are no deadlines. Next year in March the world championship will begin; all the manufacturers have already built the bikes and all have signed their riders,” he said, making it clear that the manufacturers are bluffing.
“We need to give it time and let things fall into place; the situation is positive. We’re happy; the manufacturers and teams are vital parts of the championship, and everything we do will be for the better.”
RACC President Josep Mateu, MGPEG CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, and Pol Espargaró, a rider from the Circuit de Catalunya youth program
Photo by: Germán Garcia Casanova
Asked by Autosport if it was already known where the championship would start next year, and if it would still be in Thailand, Ezpeleta replied: “No, we don’t know yet. We’ll be able to say when it’s confirmed, but not yet.”
The ‘Fan Fest Festival’ comes to MotoGP
For the first time in MotoGP, Barcelona will host a Fan Fest in the heart of the city – a move that may be linked to Liberty’s push to create more spectacle around the championship.
“Liberty doesn’t ask us; almost everything they say, we say too,” said Ezpeleta. “But they have the experience of having done this in F1, and their expertise is very important. Unlike the previous owners, Liberty is a major company in the entertainment world, and their experience will certainly serve us well.
“Barcelona will be the first place to host the Fan Festival, an idea we’ll gradually roll out at other grand prix events.”
Another recurring theme in Ezpeleta’s appearances at the presentation of the Catalan GP is whether there will continue to be four Spanish grands prix on the calendar.
“It will be difficult; in the future, it will be difficult. I am proud that Catalonia and Barcelona, which is my city, are the birthplace of MotoGP, of the world championship. We cannot hold more than 22 races due to agreements with teams, so having four in Spain will be very difficult,” he said.
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– The Autosport.com Team
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