MotoGP must “go to a different degree” to draw massive sponsors

Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola believes MotoGP should be extra “aspirational” with a purpose to appeal to new and larger sponsors to the championship.

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

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

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

The acquisition is presently 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 get pleasure from a powerful relationship with Domenicali, believes that Liberty may strengthen the business arm of MotoGP, which might assist herald new sponsors to the collection.

These feedback comply with 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 Pictures

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

“In that space, we’ve got to go to a different degree. We have now to achieve extra folks, and be capable to appeal to extra and larger sponsors. I’m positive that Liberty could have the suitable channel to make that step.”

Rivola believes Dorna has finished an outstanding job in selling MotoGP however feels Liberty is the suitable firm that take it to a different degree.

He additionally harassed that the premier class should stand aside from the decrease divisions – Moto2 and Moto3 – with a purpose to make itself extra interesting to sponsors.

“The way forward for MotoGP is vibrant,” he stated. “I feel we nonetheless have a little bit of a wrestle 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 ingredient will appeal to larger sponsors.

“A few of these sponsors need to differentiate themselves, on condition that they create in some huge cash, and luxuriate in the truth that they’re working at a sure degree.”