MotoGP manufacturers were “happy” after a meeting involving Liberty Media during the US Grand Prix weekend.
With eight months to go until the end of the current 1000cc era, manufacturers are yet to sign a new agreement to compete in MotoGP from 2027 onwards.
Unlike previous years, the five manufacturers have been negotiating as one with commercial rights holder MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (formerly Dorna).
The manufacturers are understood to be pushing for a more Formula 1-style distribution of TV revenue, plus longer-term guarantees over their grid slots than the usual five years.
MotoGP SEG, meanwhile, is seeking commitments from manufacturers on promoting and marketing the championship.
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As part of their united approach, manufacturers have avoided public comment on the negotiations.
However, last weekend’s round was seen as a key moment for meetings between the parties, being the ‘home’ event of MotoGP SEG owner Liberty Media.
“We were happy, it was a good meeting”
Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola, whose riders Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin currently lead the world championship, offered a brief update to Sky Italia:
“Look, you know I can’t talk about this.
“We had a meeting, yes, that’s right, you all saw us go up together. We were happy, it was a good meeting.
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“We also met Derek Chang, the CEO of Liberty, so let’s move forward.”
KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer also posted a social media picture with Chang, Liberty board member Robert R. Bennett, MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister:
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Other prominent figures present from the manufacturers included Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali and Piaggio Group CEO Michele Colaninno, who accepted the winner’s trophy on behalf of the Aprilia team.
Michele Colaninno, Grand Prix of the Americas Race, 29 March 2026
© Gold and Goose
Impact on the rider market
The lack of a signed agreement is seen as a factor behind the delay in confirming several high-profile 2027 rider moves.
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Deals widely reported but yet to be announced include Pedro Acosta to Ducati, Francesco Bagnaia to Aprilia, Fabio Quartararo to Honda and Alex Marquez to KTM – plus a contract extension for Ducati’s reigning champion Marc Marquez.
The theory goes that if 2027 rider deals were announced, it would erode the negotiating position of the manufacturers.
However, KTM and Honda have already put prototype versions of next year’s 850cc bikes on track, with other manufacturers confirming in-factory development of 2027 machines.
Aprilia has also already broken the rider-signing silence by announcing a new two-year deal for Bezzecchi in February, while Yamaha (Toprak Razgatlioglu) and Honda (Johann Zarco, Diogo Moreira) have previous commitments in place for next season.
Nonetheless, if an MSMA-MotoGP breakthrough was made in Texas, it could trigger some long-awaited rider announcements during the extended break – due to the postponement of Qatar – before Jerez at the end of this month.
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