MotoGP Chief Ezpeleta Warns Combined Weekends with F1 Are 'Incredibly Challenging'

MotoGP's Carlos Ezpeleta has dismissed the idea of combined race weekends with Formula 1, describing it as "incredibly challenging" from a logistical and commercial standpoint. In an exclusive interview with GPblog, the Chief Sporting Officer made clear that no such collaboration is currently on the table, despite Liberty Media owning both championships.

Why it matters:

Since Liberty's acquisition of MotoGP, speculation about joint events has intensified. Ezpeleta's firm stance signals that fans hoping for a double-header spectacle will have to wait indefinitely, as the practical realities of hosting two vastly different motorsports at the same venue remain a major hurdle.

The details:

• No circuit capable: Currently, no track in the world can accommodate both pit boxes and necessary infrastructure simultaneously, according to Ezpeleta.
• Track layout conflicts: F1 cars and MotoGP bikes require different circuit characteristics. Corners, kerbs, and runoff areas that work for one can be dangerous for the other – Barcelona and the Red Bull Ring have already required layout changes for MotoGP safety.
• Commercial challenges: Ezpeleta sees little financial upside: you can't add extra grandstand capacity, and the demographics and price points of the two fanbases differ significantly, making monetization difficult.

What's next:

Rather than combined weekends, Liberty Media is focusing on expanding MotoGP's reach outside Europe, particularly in the United States. Talks have been held about a potential MotoGP race on or around the Miami street circuit, currently an F1 venue. For now, the two series will continue to operate independently.