Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta was initially “concerned” about the KTM insolvency – But talks about MotoGP participation until 2031 are said to have already taken place
Over the winter, the situation regarding the insolvency proceedings of KTM AG was also closely monitored in the offices of MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports in Barcelona. Finally, the creditors have agreed to the restructuring plan. The Austrian company will continue to operate, even though new investors have not yet been presented to the public.
In Mattighofen, preparations are being made to ramp up production again after a three-month break. This was made possible by an initial cash injection of 50 million euros from co-owner Bajaj in India.
Next Monday, March 17, the four production lines are scheduled to start up again, at least in single-shift operation. Another 100 million euros will be needed by the end of March to keep the plant running until the end of May.
The MotoGP project, KTM’s most expensive motorsport program, continued as planned over the winter. KTM was at the season opener in Thailand with both teams and the four regular riders at the start.
“I was worried,” says Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta in an interview with Motosprint, ‘because I don’t like it when a company gets into this kind of situation.’ The danger of MotoGP losing two teams has been averted.
That’s why Ezpeleta says: ”I’m not at all worried about the racing side of things and the brand’s participation in MotoGP – absolutely not! On the contrary, we are currently negotiating with the KTM Group to extend the contract for the period from 2027 to 2031.”
So the focus is on the future. Another important decision is pending for Dorna, as the EU Commission still has to approve the takeover by Liberty Media.
Originally, the takeover should be completed by the end of 2024. However, the EU announced an in-depth investigation to clarify whether the purchase of MotoGP rights holder Dorna by the Formula 1 owner violates EU competition law.
Ezpeleta is not worried, however: “Everything continues as normal. We have to wait for the approval of the European Union regarding the question of market dominance. This decision should be made by June. It is a legal matter.”
Liberty Media attracts investor interest
Liberty Media’s interest in MotoGP has already led to new developments in the background. The boom in Formula 1 has shown that MotoGP has growth potential, especially in the USA.
At the team presentation at the end of January, KTM Motorsport Director Pit Beirer spoke about an interesting development: “Since the topic of Liberty Media was brought up, investors have been interested in shares in a racing department.”
“We used to look enviously at Formula 1 in this regard. It’s an interesting development to see how a MotoGP racing department can be presented as a business case in a company in the future – and not just as an investment to promote the brand.”
