MotoGP is set to be purchased by Liberty Media, thus having the same owners as Formula 1. The deal is not yet confirmed and may need to pass through the scrutiny of European Union authorities to ensure it does not involve anti-competitive practices.
The two championships came close to having the same owners back in 2006 when CVC Capital Partners – at the time the owner of Dorna Sports – acquired Formula 1. However, they had to sell MotoGP due to the objections of European authorities.
According to Giacomo Agostini, there was another attempt by Formula 1 to acquire MotoGP before that. The former rider revealed to La Gazzetta dello Sport, as quoted by Corse di Moto, that Bernie Ecclestone was behind that attempt four decades ago:
– He was convinced, but he didn’t think it was the best time, and that if we waited a little longer, he would pay less. I didn’t agree, but obviously, I trusted him; he was certainly much more experienced. But others thought about it. It’s a shame; I should have been in charge of the World Championship.
