MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

As I reported last night, Pirelli is to take over from Michelin as the official tire supplier for the MotoGP class from 2027. The Italian tire manufacturer will become the official supplier for all three Grand Prix classes (MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3), as well as MotoE and the support classes. 

This means Pirelli will be the official tire supplier for both motorcycle racing world championships - MotoGP and WorldSBK - as well  as F1 in 2027. Whether Pirelli will continue as tire supplier in F1 beyond 2027 is unknown.

The news never stops, and so after an interesting, if not entertaining opening round of MotoGP at Buriram, a round up of a few interesting stories from around the world of motorcycle racing.

Jerez - drowned by not out

The MotoGP paddock has vivid memories of the end of October last year, when we heard about the unfolding tragedy of flooding in and around Valencia. The deaths, the destruction left a deep impact, and caused the final MotoGP round of 2024 to be moved from the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Cheste, near Valencia, to Barcelona. Fortunately the track itself was not damaged, but the infrastructure around the circuit was badly hit.

Pirell is to take over as single tire supplier for the MotoGP and MotoE class in the MotoGP paddock from 2027. The switch of tire suppliers will take place when MotoGP changes to the new technical regulations featuring 850cc engines, no ride-height and holeshot devices, and much greater restrictions on aerodynamics.

The EU Competition Commission has launched a so-called Phase II investigation of Liberty Media's purchase of Dorna Sports. The Commission raised concerns over the market power the proposed purchase would give Liberty over broadcasting rights in the national TV markets in a number of EU member states.

The concern of the Commission is that the acquisition could allow Liberty to raise prices for the broadcasting rights of MotoGP and F1 in some countries. The Commission noted that F1 and MotoGP are each other's most direct competitors, and Liberty having control of both would reduce competition by not allowing broadcasters to choose between one or the other, or both. 

Dorna has announced that Kelly Brittain, currently working with the Red Bull team in F1, is to join the company has Managing Director of Global Marketing, starting in 2025.

Normally, MotoGP management changes are of relatively minor significance, but this, like the hiring of Dan Rossomondo as Chief Commercial Officer, is likely to have a major impact on the way that MotoGP is promoted and sold. Brittain is to report directly to Rossomondo, and will be charged with expanding and selling the sport and increasing the involvement of major brands in the sport.