MotoGP is the premier class of motorcycle racing. In this championship, the most technically and technologically advanced prototypes compete, as well as the 22 best riders in the world today.
All of this costs money, as is natural. Prices and budgets may not be as high as those in other motor sports, including Formula 1, but they are still significant.
Even satellite teams – which do not have to develop the bike, have smaller structures, and do not have the most expensive riders under contract – spend millions of euros to complete just one season.
The approximate numbers were discussed by Carlos Ezpeleta. The sports director of Dorna spoke at a conference with investors after the announcement of the acquisition by Liberty Media:
– What we provide is a very controlled cost environment, so independent teams are operating at an operational cost of around 15 million euros per season, of which Dorna together with IRTA – the championship – covers about 50 percent of that including annual payments and event payments that are agreed upon and not variable. That means we are covering about 50 percent of their costs.
