MotoGP needs to “go to another level” to attract big sponsors

Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola believes MotoGP should be extra “aspirational” so as to appeal to new and greater sponsors to the championship.

Rivola joined Aprilia’s administration construction for the 2019 season after an extended tenure at Ferrari in System 1, the place he held the place of sporting director from 2009-2016 earlier than taking cost of its driver growth programme.

The Italian’s transfer from Toro Rosso to Ferrari in 2009 was pushed by then-team principal Stefano Domenicali, who’s at present the CEO of F1 and a senior govt at Liberty Media.

Liberty is within the strategy of buying a controlling 86% stake in MotoGP’s rights holder Dorna in a deal that can worth the Spanish firm at round 4.3 billion euros.

The acquisition is at present topic to “an in-depth investigation” by the European Union, which desires to make sure Liberty would not violate any antitrust legal guidelines by proudly owning each F1 and MotoGP.

Rivola, who continues to take pleasure in a robust relationship with Domenicali, believes that Liberty might strengthen the business arm of MotoGP, which might assist herald new sponsors to the collection.

These feedback observe Spanish oil main Repsol leaving the championship after three many years, having been related to Honda since 1995.

Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing

Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos

“If we have a look at what Liberty has finished with F1, MotoGP wants somebody who is targeted on advertising,” Rivola advised Motorsport.com.

“In that space, we now have to go to a different stage. We’ve got to achieve extra individuals, and be capable of appeal to extra and greater sponsors. I’m certain that Liberty can have the fitting channel to make that step.”

Rivola believes Dorna has finished an exceptional job in selling MotoGP however feels Liberty is the fitting firm that take it to a different stage.

He additionally pressured that the premier class should stand aside from the decrease divisions – Moto2 and Moto3 – so as to make itself extra interesting to sponsors.

“The way forward for MotoGP is shiny,” he stated. “I believe we nonetheless have a little bit of a battle to get to F1 ranges, however we do not have to repeat and paste.

“MotoGP needs to be extra aspirational than Moto2 and Moto3. Perhaps not in the identical manner as F1, however selling that aspirational component will appeal to larger sponsors.

“A few of these sponsors need to differentiate themselves, provided that they carry in some huge cash, and revel in the truth that they’re working at a sure stage.”

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