MotoGP and teams' association sign new five-year deal
MotoGP has announced a five-year extension to agreement in place between Dorna Sports and the International Road-Racing Teams’ Association (IRTA) beginning in 2022.
In 2016, Dorna signed a five-year agreement with MotoGP’s independent teams running from 2017-2021 safeguarding the signed-on outfits for that duration and ensuring (among other things) increased financial support.
The International Road-Race Teams’ Association (IRTA) was founded in 1986 and has acted as a voice for grand prix racing’s teams in MotoGP’s decision-making process.
This latest agreement will continue to strengthen Dorna’s relationship with IRTA, with their efforts in recent years in increasing support for independent teams leading to a much more competitive grid.
In 2020, three independent team riders in Petronas SRT duo Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli, and Tech3’s Miguel Oliveira won eight of the 14 grands prix combined.
This new deal is the second one set for a five-year duration, and is the seventh agreement in total agreed between Dorna and IRTA.
"We could not be happier to announce another five-year agreement with IRTA and the Independent Teams,” Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said.
“I am proud of what we have achieved so far and I look forward to continuing our collaboration.
"One of the first things we did when we began in MotoGP [in 1992] was to start working closely with IRTA, and the historic levels of competition and interest in the sport are an achievement we are proud to share.
“It gives me great pleasure to watch our Independent Teams going from strength to strength and I very much look forward to at least another five years working together, pushing MotoGP to new heights once again.
“I also want to extend my personal thank you to both Mike Trimby [IRTA CEO] and Herve Poncharal [IRTA President], their input into the championship and the sport is invaluable and the relationship could not be better."
Poncharal added: "The 2021 MotoGP racing season hasn’t started yet, but we have already great news to announce to the world; Dorna, IRTA and the MotoGP class Independent Teams have already decided to extend their partnership for another five years from 2022 to 2026.
“This is the best news we could have.
"The times are not easy at the moment, therefore having security, having visibility and to be able to carry on working with the same partner is always a big bonus.
“To have a promoter like Dorna on our side, managed by Mr. Carmelo Ezpeleta, is like a dream for all of us.
“The relationship since 1992, when we started to work together, has been excellent and has improved every single year.
“Any question or request arising from the teams or the riders is always taken into great consideration from Dorna.
“The safety, the racing, the technical side and the show has always been improving.”
In recent weeks, LCR and Gresini have confirmed their commitment to racing in MotoGP beyond 2021, with Ducati, KTM and Honda the first three manufacturers to sign the new five-year deal with Dorna.
With the current agreement between teams and Dorna coming to an end in 2021, changes on the grid are expected, with Avintia set to step back from MotoGP – with it thought VR46 (which will back Luca Marini’s 2021 season with Avintia) will take its grid slots.
Related video
Previous article
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Next article
MotoGP champion Marquez’s arm finally starting to heal
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Author | Lewis Duncan |
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title
