It was one of the topics that marked the final phase of the 2023 MotoGP season and year, and it is still unresolved. CryptoDATA RNF lost its spot in the grid for this year, with Trackhouse Racing taking its place. The now former Aprilia satellite team felt aggrieved and is defending its rights in a battle against Dorna and IRTA that is not yet over.
Now, CryptoDATA accuses the promoter of evading payment of a hefty agreed monetary compensation – claiming that only half of the amount has been paid and they are ‘inventing’ reasons not to make payments. The resolution agreement also reportedly included activities to clean up the Romanian company’s reputation after all that this case has caused. However, Dorna and IRTA are allegedly refusing to get involved in them.
The owner of CryptoDATA has initiated conversations with Dorna shareholders, and the accusations are escalating, emphasizing that Dorna and IRTA do not care about honoring the contracts they have made or not.
This case comes at a time when Dorna is discussing a possible sale. A few weeks ago, its CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta, confirmed to La Repubblica newspaper that this is a possible scenario and the MotoGP promoter is ‘prepared’ for it to happen. The Bridgepoint fund has been the majority shareholder of Dorna since 2007, owning 39 percent of the shares.
