Guenther Steiner: MotoGP Won't Just Copy F1's Model Under Liberty Media

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes MotoGP will maintain its unique identity under Liberty Media's new ownership, rather than simply replicating Formula 1's successful template. Liberty Media's acquisition of MotoGP in July, following a prolonged regulatory process, means the American media giant now controls the two biggest motorsport championships globally. While Liberty's revamp of F1 brought mainstream success, it also sparked concerns that similar changes in MotoGP could alienate its loyal fanbase. However, Steiner is confident that MotoGP will continue to forge its own path, with Liberty's role focused on expanding the series and enhancing fan engagement.

Why it matters:

After Liberty Media's transformative impact on Formula 1, including a significant boost in global popularity, the future direction of MotoGP under the same ownership has been a major point of discussion among fans and industry insiders. Steiner's perspective offers reassurance that MotoGP's distinct culture and management structure will allow it to evolve uniquely, rather than becoming a carbon copy of F1, which is crucial for preserving its core identity and passionate fanbase.

The Details:

• Distinct Management Structure: Steiner emphasizes a key difference: while Liberty took direct control of F1, the Ezpeleta family continues to manage MotoGP's day-to-day operations, despite Liberty's 84% stake in Dorna.
• Avoiding Copy-Paste: Steiner asserts that MotoGP has "enough ingredients here to make your own story" and does not need to mimic F1. He believes Dorna and the Ezpeleta family understand what is vital for MotoGP.
• Broader Learning: He suggests looking beyond just F1 for lessons, highlighting insights gained from American "stick and ball sports" on bringing fans closer to the action.
• Liberty's Role: Liberty Media, as an American company with expertise in sports entertainment, will help MotoGP grow by introducing new fan engagement initiatives, not by forcing an F1 model.
• Steiner's Unique Position: Having worked in senior roles in both F1 and now MotoGP (as CEO of Tech3 from 2026), Steiner is uniquely positioned to offer insights and serve as a link between the two series.

What's next:

Steiner, who is set to become CEO of Tech3 in 2026 after leading a consortium to acquire KTM’s satellite MotoGP team, believes that while direct copying is unnecessary, MotoGP should analyze what made F1's growth successful, particularly in social media and fan interaction. He sees significant potential for MotoGP's continued expansion, with Liberty Media providing support in areas like fan experience and entertainment, ensuring the sport's unique narrative continues to unfold successfully.