The ongoing negotiations between Dorna Sports and the five participating manufacturers in MotoGP are approaching a deal that could define the commercial framework of the category for the next five years.
For almost a year now, the discussions have focused on a new agreement covering the period 2027-2031. This agreement will establish both the rights and obligations of the involved parties, as well as the distribution of the revenues generated from the championship’s commercial rights, mainly through television.
The pact is seen as the equivalent of the Concorde Agreement in Formula 1, which regulates the commercial and regulatory structure of the latter. Recently, the positions between Dorna and the manufacturers have come closer, which could lead to a breakthrough in the negotiations during the United States Grand Prix in Austin this weekend.
Executives from Liberty Media, owners of the championship, will be present at the Circuit of the Americas, providing an ideal setting to finalize the agreement. Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing and current president of the Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (MSMA), has indicated that, while he has not been allowed to discuss details, Austin is an appropriate location for the talks.
The negotiations have proven complicated, with financial terms as the main sticking point. While MotoGP is proposing a fixed annual payment of around 9 million euros per team, which has varied slightly in recent weeks, the teams are looking for a resource-sharing structure model similar to that of F1.
In addition to the economic aspects, another controversial topic is the ownership of grid spots, which are currently controlled by Dorna. The teams want a change in this policy to increase the value of these entries in negotiations with potential sponsors and investors.
This agreement will provide not only immediate relief for the involved parties but could also trigger a series of announcements regarding the rider market and partnerships between teams and manufacturers starting in 2027.
So far, only the renewal of Marco Bezzecchi with Aprilia has been confirmed, a move that is believed to be part of a broader strategy designed by the MSMA to pressure the promoter. Despite this, manufacturers have already made significant progress in their projects for 2027, which will be based on the new 850cc prototype regulations.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
