MotoGP is on the brink of a new era, and honestly, it’s about time the sport caught up with Formula 1 in how teams are treated. For years, we’ve known MotoGP as a battleground for “factory” teams with their tricked-out bikes and bottomless budgets, while “satellite” teams scrambled for scraps, hoping for the occasional upgrade or a breakthrough rider moment. But starting in 2027, things are about to get spicy, and not just because of the new anthem routines.
Decades of Division: A Thing of the Past
Historically, MotoGP’s grid was divided by invisible lines between factory teams, like Lenovo Ducati and Honda Racing, and the independents leasing last year’s bikes and technology. Satellite outfits such as LCR Honda or VR46 Ducati operated on borrowed machines, often missing out on the shiniest tech or engineering muscle, while factory squads kept the good stuff for themselves.
Sure, the odd satellite hero, think Fabio Quartararo or Jorge Martin, might punch above their weight, but for most, it was a fight just to stay competitive.
F1’s Blueprint: The Liberty Media Effect
Here’s where things get interesting. With Liberty Media now running the show for both Formula 1 and MotoGP, balance is the buzzword. The plan is simple: erase the distinction between factories and satellites, so every team lines up as equals, financially, technically, and, hopefully, emotionally too. You know how Mercedes F1 is owned by a bunch of shareholders, not just the car manufacturer? MotoGP wants in on that game, baking in a model where more investors can throw their hats in the arena, hello, competitiveness and fresh talent.
Fair Play For All: What’s Actually Changing?
Let’s talk numbers. As it stands, satellite teams get around €5 million from Dorna, which mainly pays for leasing those all-important motorcycles. Factories make about €3 million renting out the tech. But from 2027, every MotoGP team will be “independent,” scoring identical support directly from Dorna, with talks underway to determine the new equal payout. That means more access to top-tier bikes, unified software systems, and perhaps even some parity in race strategy support. The goal? Give fans more unpredictable action instead of parade races where the big guns always win.
Fast Forward: What Does It Mean for the Grid?
Picture this: no more “second-class” squads relying on mercy upgrades or vague promises. Instead, every rider, whether they’re Marc Márquez or the latest rookie sensation, gets their shot on even ground. It’s already working, satellite riders are winning races and even clinching championships, so unification isn’t just a dream, it’s the new reality. Let’s call it history in the making, because from 2027, the racing won’t care who built the bike, just who rides it best.
