TMW: Liberty Media's Acquiring MotoGP
Both Formula 1 and MotoGP could soon fall under the same parent company, with Liberty Media reportedly acquiring Dorna Sports.
The Morning Warmup
March 29, 2024
Today’s Top Stories
1) Liberty Media preparing to purchase MotoGP promoter Dorna (MotoGP)
The two biggest worldwide racing series could soon be owned by the same parent company.
Formula 1 owner Liberty Media is reportedly in exclusive talks to buy Dorna Sports, the company that promotes MotoGP, MotoE and World Superbike. The purchase is expected to be around €4 billion and could be announced before MotoGP’s Americas Grand Prix on April 12-14.
The Financial Times reported that Liberty beat out numerous other potential suitors, including Paris Saint-Germain owners Qatar Sports Investments and TKO, a group that owns both the UFC and WWE.
Motorsport later added that the deal was finalized weeks ago, but it was essentially frozen by concerns over intervention from the European Commission tied to monopoly concerns.
The deal is still likely to come under regulatory scrutiny. Both F1 and MotoGP were once owned by private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, but it was forced to divest by EU competition regulators and sold MotoGP in 2006.
“I’d be very surprised if competition regulators didn’t look at it,” James Killick, a competition lawyer at White & Case, told the FT. “The question is, has the market changed?”
Leading Dorna shareholders Bridgepoint and the Canadian pension fund (CPPIB) have been eager to sell the company since 2023. They combine to hold about 78% of all shares.
For Liberty, an acquisition of MotoGP could provide an opportunity to grow its business just as the company did with F1. Profits have soared in the open wheel tour, driven by strong social media engagement, the popularity of the Drive to Survive docuseries on Netflix and an expansion of the series schedule to 24 races.
(Source(s): Matthew Garrahan & Samuel Agini / Financial Times, Oriol Puigdemont / Motorsport)
For more analysis of this story, check out this article from Simon Patterson of The Race that questions if a deal is feasible.
2) Forsythe buying Long Beach stake, keeping IndyCar (IndyCar)
Crisis averted, IndyCar fans.
Days after a RACER report indicated interest from NASCAR in acquiring a 50% stake in the Long Beach Grand Prix, the same outlet has reported that co-owner Gerald Forsythe is preparing to purchase the other half of the stake from the estate of the late Kevin Kalkhoven.
He also plans to keep the event as a staple of the IndyCar calendar.
More from the piece:
“The estate has agreed to sell its 50% to me,” the industrialist and former owner of the Champ Car series told RACER. “If (any series) has its sights on Long Beach please tell them to look elsewhere. This (is) an IndyCar event, and it will be into the future.”
The swift development to consolidate 100-percent ownership and control of the 49-year-old race follows efforts by multiple sanctioning bodies – NASCAR and IndyCar Series owners Penske Entertainment being the most recent – to pursue Kalkhoven’s stake in the Southern Californian event.
Featuring IndyCar since 1984, Long Beach Grand Prix has been a marquee event in the region for decades, boasting more than 100,000 attendees across the three-day race, which also host’s IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and popular bands in a beachside festival environment.
Thanks to its loyal audience and sizable turnout, multiple attempts have been made to acquire Kalkhoven’s half of the event since his passing in 2022, all with a corresponding hope of being able to purchase Forsythe’s half as well.
According to Forsythe, his steadfast refusal to sell has acted as a deterrent to some of those who’ve contacted the estate.
Long Beach is an iconic event on the IndyCar schedule, second only to the Indianapolis 500 on the tour’s annual calendar. NASCAR’s reported interest in it comes as the sport looks for a new Southern California home, with Auto Club Speedway currently under a lengthy hiatus as it’s restructured to a short track.
But it appears NASCAR will have to look elsewhere. IndyCar’s safe for years to come.
(Source(s): Marshall Pruett / RACER)
3) Formula E locking in entrants as build to Gen4 begins (Formula E)
Formula E has been met with good manufacturer news ahead of this weekend’s Tokyo E-Prix.
In the last newsletter, we discussed a report that Lola is relaunching in the motorsports world within Formula E. Now more information about its plans has been revealed.
Lola is indeed returning to motorsports, entering Formula E as soon as 2025 in a partnership with Yamaha. It will be the company’s first racing efforts since its original iteration came to a close in 2012.
“We are incredibly excited to be partnering with the Yamaha Motor Company as we enter the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship,” Lola brand owner Till Bechtolscheimer said in a Wednesday release. “To be selected by one of the most innovative OEMs in the world to partner on a project of this significance is a testament to the caliber of the team that we have been building at Lola.”
“The focus of this project is squarely around technological development in which Lola is fully invested. We see the highly efficient 350 kW electric powertrain that underpins the manufacturer’s perimeter in Formula E, as a cornerstone technology with exciting applications across many forms of topflight international motorsport in the coming years.”
Yamaha will return to car racing for the first time since 1997, when it supplied engines to Arrows in Formula 1. The pairing will join Formula E for its Gen3.5 era, with rumors that it could supply powertrains to Abt after the German team’s confirmed exit from Mahindra.
Former Super Aguri team founder and Techeetah team principal Mark Preston will serve as Lola’s motorsport director.
That isn’t the only commitment news for Formula E this week. Nissan became the first manufacturer to commit to its GEN4 regulations on Thursday, signing an agreement to remain with the all-electric tour through at least 2030.
“We’re extremely pleased to continue our involvement in Formula E until 2030,” Makoto Uchida, CEO of Nissan Motor Corporation, said in a company release. “In addition to bringing excitement and an on-track spectacle to our fans, our participation in the series will make a significant contribution to our electrification goals set out in our Ambition 2030 plans.
“The technological breakthroughs that we make on the track will provide great insights to the development of our future products. We’re excited to see the future of electric racing unfold and to keep working towards a sustainable world for everyone.”
Nissan has effectively been around Formula E from its start in 2014, its partner Renault having been a technical parter on the first Formula E car. The Nissan brand took over support for the e.dams team in 2018, after a Renault stretch that included three teams’ titles in the opening three seasons. The team then became an in-house Nissan in 2022.
Formula E’s next ruleset is expected to launch in 2026-27, when the tour launches its 13th season.
(Source(s): Mark Glendenning / RACER, Dominik Wilde / RACER)
Additional reading: Is Formula E in for a second manufacturer boom? Who else could follow Lola into the tour? (Sam Smith / The Race)
4) Kenya launches motorsport academy amid Safari Rally (WRC)
With eyes on the FIA World Rally Championship’s Safari Rally Kenya this week, the local government is launching a new academy to foster future stars of the discipline.
Kenya launched a new Talanta Motorsport Academy on Thursday as part of its Kenya Academy of Sports. The academy will be based near the site of the opening rally stage in the capital city Nairobi.
Kenya’s deputy president Rigathi Gachagua was on-hand to launch the academy. WRC champions Ott Tanak and Petter Solberg attended the event, along with Petter’s son and WRC2 competitor Oliver Solberg. They were joined by numerous aspiring drivers and local rally stars.
"Motorsport is special to Kenyans and with the rich history of these successful events like the Safari - which celebrated its 70th anniversary last year s- Kenya is laying the foundation of soil, growing and grooming its talent," Gachagua said. "We're rebuilding and positioning Kenya as a motorsport hub and factoring in talent and investment on a global scale."
Kenya has a rich motorsport history, having celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Safari Rally in 2023. With the launch of its academy, the country hopes to become a hub for motorsport talent.
(Source(s): Tom Howard / Motorsport)
Race Recaps
Rally
Thierry Neuville scored the early lead in Safari Rally Kenya. (Alasdair Lindsay / DirtFish)
News and Notes
NASCAR
A poor forecast has led ARCA officials to postpone this weekend’s schedule Menards Series West race at Irwindale Speedway until July 6. (ARCARacing.com)
Supercars competitor Cam Waters is set to make his NASCAR debut in the Craftsman Truck Series with ThorSport Racing at Martinsville Speedway. (Aaron Noonan / V8 Sleuth)
Xfinity Series prospect Sammy Smith is going to make several Craftsman Truck Series starts with Spire Motorsports this year. (Jim Utter / Motorsport)
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a NASCAR spotter? Journalist Alanis King found out for herself at Circuit of the Americas and wrote about it for ESPN. (Alanis King / ESPN)
With his early-season win, Rajah Caruth has the NASCAR world’s attention. His work ethic is making him a favorite among the sport’s young prospects. (Jordan Bianchi / The Athletic)
It’s been a solid start to the year for Martin Truex Jr. Now he’s hoping to add a missing Richmond Raceway victory. (Jim Utter / Motorsport)
NASCAR is getting back into the restaurant game, launching the NASCAR Drafthouse in St. Louis. (Adam Stern / Sports Business Journal)
After a slow start to 2024, Joey Logano knows his team is in for a slow, difficult climb back to the top of the grid. (Kelly Crandall / RACER)
If you’ve been in racing social media circles, you’ve probably seen ARCA competitor Toni Breidinger. She was this week’s guest in the “12 Questions” series. (Jeff Gluck / The Athletic)
Congratulations to Harrison Burton and Jenna Petty, who became engaged Wednesday. (Harrison Burton / X)
IndyCar
Callum Ilott impressed in his substitute role for Arrow McLaren. (Eric Smith / IndyCar.com)
F1
With great sim comes great responsibility. Mercedes technical director James Allison claims the team has found an area of its simulation models that could be a correlation weakness to address. (Chris Medland / RACER)
Mercedes itself is starting to ramp up its public courtship of Red Bull star Max Verstappen, admitting he’d be its favorite option to pair with George Russell should the three-time champ become available. (Scott Mitchell-Malm / The Race)
Williams team principal James Vowles is taking the blame for the lack of spare chassis that cost it an entry in the Australian Grand Prix. (Chris Medland / RACER)
After Carlos Sainz’s big win in Australia, F1.com took a look back at 10 of the most remarkable injury comebacks in the sport’s history. (Greg Stuart / F1.com)
Not long ago Pierre Gasly was impressing at AlphaTauri. But a move to a now-struggling Alpine could serve as a warning to others eager to shift around the driver market. (Edd Straw / The Race)
Oscar Piastri has come a long way in a short time with McLaren, but team principal Andrea Stella believes he still has more to come. (Matt Kew / Motorsport)
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has signed on to be an ambassador for the Miami Grand Prix. (Chris Medland / RACER)
Things haven’t gone to plan for Daniel Ricciardo this year, but he’s confident he’ll turn things around at RB. (Chris Medland / RACER)
Should Fernando Alonso have been penalized for his role in the last-lap crash at the Australian Grand Prix? There are two sides to the argument. (Chris Medland / RACER)
Supercars
Opinions are split in the paddock over races without required pit stops. (Daniel Herrero / Speedcafe)
Tickets have sold out for the upcoming Taupo Supercars race weekend. (Daniel Herrero / Speedcafe)
Congratulations to Chaz Mostert and his fiancé Riame Marwood, who welcomed a baby daughter earlier this week. (Daniel Herrero / Speedcafe)
Sports Cars
The ACO is planning to hold a hydrogen demonstration run with multiple cars prior to the start of this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours. (Davey Euwema / Sportscar365)
Sebastian Vettel enjoyed his time in a Porsche 963 Hypercar, the but ex-F1 competitor is unsure about a Le Mans 24 Hours debut. (Ben Vinal / Motorsport)
The FIA World Endurance Championship is going to require Hypercar entrant to field two cars starting in 2025. (Gary Watkins / Motorsport)
There’s a capacity 55-car entry list for the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe opener at Circuit Paul Ricard. (Daily Sportscar)
BMW driver Marco Wittman understands the decision to restrict testing for the DTM this year, believing it to be a necessary cost-cutting decision. (Rachit Thukral / Motorsport)
Dirt
The World Racing Group Appeals Commission upheld findings from recent tire testing tied to Bobby Pierce, Devin Moran and Kyle Bronson, but made adjustments to their penalties. (Nick Graziano / WorldofOutlaws.com)
The Driven2SaveLives BC39 is returning to The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sept. 26-28. (FloRacing)
Short Tracks
Bubba Pollard is making his Xfinity Series debut this weekend. It has a lot of people excited. (Matt Weaver / Sportsnaut)
With Pollard’s appearance comes the support of his superman, TJ Jackson. (Matt Weaver / Sportsnaut)
Moto
Neither Pecco Bagnaia or Marc Marquez could really afford the clash they had in Portimao. (Simon Patterson / The Race)
Miguel Oliveira is frustrated with Aprilia’s bike, saying he’s only managed “baby steps” in MotoGP this year. (Rachit Thukral & German Garcia Casanova / Motorsport)
Rally
With the Safari Rally Kenya comes the return of snorkels in Rally1, giving World Rally Championship cars a retro look. (Tom Howard / Motorsport)
Kalle Rovanpera isn’t on board with the FIA’s proposed Rally1 regulations for next year, saying he “doesn’t really understand” them. (Tom Howard / Motorsport)
The first Safari Rally start from Petter Solberg was assisted by a rugby tackle. (David Evans / DirtFish)
Extreme E claims it saw 144 million viewers for its 2023 season, up from 135 million in 2022 and 102.8 million in 2021. (Dominik Wilde / RACER)
On Track This Weekend
All Times ET
Friday, March 29
NASCAR
All at Richmond Raceway
Whelen Modified Tour Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150: 6:30 p.m., FloRacing/MRN
Dirt
World of Outlaws Sprint Cars (Thunderbird Speedway): 7:15 p.m., DirtVision
Coot Williams Memorial (Georgetown Speedway): 6:15 p.m., FloRacing
Weekly Racing (Attica Raceway Park): 6:30 p.m., DirtVision
Spring Nationals (I-75 Raceway): 7:00 p.m., FloRacing
Weekly Racing (Williams Grove Speedway): 7:00 p.m., DirtVision
Nippy 50 (Maquoketa Speedway): 7:15 p.m., FloRacing
Short Tracks
Orange Krush 200 (Orange County Speedway): 6:00 p.m., Racing America
Saturday, March 30
NASCAR
All at Richmond Raceway
Xfinity Series Practice: 8:35 a.m., FS1
Xfinity Series Qualifying: 9:05 a.m., FS1
Cup Series Practice: 10:30 a.m., FS1/MRN
Cup Series Qualifying: 11:15 a.m., FS1/MRN
Xfinity Series ToyotaCare 250: 1:30 p.m., FS1/MRN
Sports Cars
Porsche Sprint Challenge (Spring Mountain Motor Resort): 12:45 p.m., FloRacing
Dirt
World of Outlaws Sprint Cars (81 Speedway): 7:15 p.m., DirtVision
Weekly Racing (Port Royal Speedway): 3:00 p.m., FloRacing
Super DIRTcar Series (New Egypt Speedway): 4:45 p.m., DirtVision
Lil Bill Corum Memorial (Tazewell Speedway): 6:45 p.m., FloRacing
Short Tracks
SMART Modifieds (Tri-County Motor Speedway): 2:00 p.m., FloRacing
NASCAR Weekly Racing (Florence Motor Speedway): 3:15 p.m., FloRacing
Pro Late Models (Cordele Speedway): 6:00 p.m., Racing America
NASCAR Weekly Racing (Hickory Motor Speedway): 7:00 p.m., FloRacing
Pro Late Models (Mobile International Speedway): 7:00 p.m., Racing America
Moto
Monster Energy Supercross (St. Louis): 7:00 p.m., Peacock
Electric Racing
Formula E Tokyo E-Prix: 2:00 a.m., CBS Sports Network
Sunday, March 31
NASCAR
All at Richmond Raceway
Cup Series Toyota Owners 400: 7:00 p.m., FOX/MRN
Sports Cars
Porsche Sprint Challenge (Spring Mountain Motor Resort): 12:45 p.m., FloRacing
Fast Fact
There was a time when Richmond Raceway was a track requiring a good qualifying run for success. From September 2014 through September 2017, every Cup winner at the facility started inside of the top-five. But in the Next Gen era the story’s changed a bit. The average starting position of the four Richmond winners in Next Gen cars is 15.25.
Special Thanks
The Morning Warmup is fueled by our supporters. They include:
Primary Sponsor: David Colyer
Affiliate Sponsors: Bob and Sally Wichert, Cat Hicks, Jory Fleischauer, Mary Dzuro, Nathan K. Thomas, Spencer Pullins, Tyler Sorenson.
Paddock Supporters: Allison Bodiford, Billy Rowlee, Buzz Baylis, Contessa Nyree, Hannah Landvater, Jeff Brown, John R. Wilson Jr., John Wimmer, Matt Call, Michael S. Lee, Nathan A. Ulery, Seth Whitsel and Sue Parzych.
Want to see your name here? Support Motorsports Beat on Patreon.