The lessons F1 can learn from MotoGP’s season launch

If MotoGP’s season launch is anything to go by, then Formula 1 could also be on to a winner.

When both series announced plans for a 2025 season kick-off event last year, it was met by some reservations, especially within the media and the teams, as to whether it would be worth it.

MotoGP had confirmed its plans first and that the event would be held in Bangkok ahead of the season opener in Thailand, whereas F1 has opted to hold its launch event in London next Tuesday at the O2 Arena, a week ahead of testing in Bahrain.

There were understandable concerns that by holding a single event featuring all teams it would mean the smaller outfits would not enjoy a day of media coverage as perhaps they would have done in the past – had they decided to all launch on alternative days.

Logistically too, getting to a location, be it Bangkok or London, at a particular point someway ahead of the actual race or test would also cause somewhat of a travel headache.

But that said, if the F1 launch event proves as popular as the event last Sunday in Thailand, then it is something that is worth all that pain.

Sure, the MotoGP launch was not perfect. There was little time for a run-through and it showed at times, with riders being ushered here and there all within shot of the TV cameras.

One of the event’s hosts, a DJ called Piyawat Kempetch, read his opening lines off the back of a notepad and at one point referred to the MotoGP bikes as a ‘bicycle’, which was amusing.

There was also no world champion either as Jorge Martin missed the event after he underwent surgery on his right hand after a testing accident in Malaysia.

However, what it lacked in a slick presentation it made up for in an abundance of colour and character – and central to it were the riders.

There were smoke-ballooning burnouts, ear-splitting revving of each new MotoGP bike and plenty of interaction with fans that had lined the streets.

It was good, old-fashioned promotion that was seamlessly streamed across Instagram, X, Facebook and other websites, including Autosport and Motorsport.com.

The bikes on the way to the launch

Photo by: MotoGP

There is always resistance to something new, but judging from the riders’ reactions, they enjoyed the season launch and fully embraced it.

It is now up to F1’s drivers to do the same. It is inevitable there will be some pushback about the event in London coming so close to testing and another 24-race season, but this promotion is what is required to maintain that level of interest and keep the series in the public eye.

MotoGP’s riders were open to that and acutely aware of how the series is trying to grow, particularly under Liberty Media’s pending ownership.

F1’s stars now have to do the same. Yes, it is a full day in London where they would probably much rather be elsewhere, but those drivers, teams and some sections of the media need to realise this is exactly the event that F1 and MotoGP should be doing to engage with new audiences and across multiple platforms.

This is about taking motorsport off the track and into city centres and trying to reach a newer and younger market. And that is something everyone needs to embrace, rather than criticise.

That said, it is now up to F1 to ensure that they hit the right note and deliver an event that targets the audience they are trying to appeal to.