30 years later, as MotoGP™ arrives at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX, there is an incredible milestone to celebrate: 500 Grands Prix of #RacingTogether.
With the FIM, IRTA, the MSMA and Dorna working together, progress has been wide-ranging and comprehensive. The Grand Prix Commission, comprising representatives from the FIM, IRTA, MSMA and Dorna, has been a driving force behind creating the sport we enjoy today. Thanks to the evolution in the technical regulations agreed by all parties, the competition has never been better, with the sport showcasing the most level playing field possible across MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™.
Dorna Sports’ agreements with event promoters also continue to push the sport forward thanks to partners around the world, with MotoGP™ visiting an incredible range of racetracks and fans able to look forward to a full weekend of action at every Grand Prix, both on track and off. This season marks an additional milestone for MotoGP™ too, with 21 Grands Prix on the calendar seeing the Championship visit a record 17 countries in one season. The future is even brighter as new promoters and countries continue registering their interest in bringing the world's fastest motorcycle racing Championship to their shores, with the sport having proven itself an economic, sporting and cultural asset to every region in which we race.
On track, one of the most vital advances of the racing together era has been in safety standards, with all parties working together to make the sport as safe as possible. In addition, the television and media coverage of MotoGP™ pushes boundaries year on year, with broadcasts now reaching nearly half a billion homes. The sport’s commercial reach has also grown exponentially, with MotoGP™ now enjoying a presence across every key global market as an ever-increasing portfolio of commercial partnerships prove testament to the sport’s appeal.
Racing together, every party has a voice in the paddock, working together to create the best possible spectacle and the best possible competition – for every stakeholder and every fan.
Jorge Viegas, FIM President: "The FIM is extremely proud to celebrate 500 GPs of the most exciting sport in the world, and we are especially proud of our partners: Dorna, IRTA and MSMA and obviously not forgetting our National Federations too. We have achieved this success story because we really work together as a very united family. But the important thing is that we continue to work for the riders, as they remain the real stars of the show!"
Herve Poncharal, IRTA President: "The main focus and purpose for IRTA has always been the safety of the riders. Clearly, since we started to work in the new era and now we’re celebrating 500 GPs of racing together, clearly we have established a much more positive atmosphere, and we’ve been listening to each other much more. Most importantly, the decisions regarding the sport, be it calendar, technical rules, circuits, are now discussed in the GPC with a representative from FIM, IRTA, the MSMA and Dorna.
"Now, the big decisions regarding the sport are decided unanimously. The four main bodies are like one, with the same goals and visions and targets for the sport. All the main actors work together and target the same, listening and understanding each other. If the sport is a success, every party wins."
Stefan Pierer, MSMA Chairman: "It is amazing to think that MotoGP has now reached this notable milestone. The innovations and the improvements through this journey so far has only been possible thanks to the work and the vision of the collective group. We cannot forget how fantastic and well received MotoGP is around the world now. It is more popular than ever. Through the MSMA we have the same unity and ambitions and with Dorna Sports, the FIM and IRTA we can piece the puzzle together and keep growing and keep entertaining. The manufacturers all race to win but there is a strong feeling that the millions that follow and enjoy MotoGP are also ‘winning’. We look forward to the next 500."
Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna CEO: "Congratulations to all the people who’ve made it possible to reach this milestone between the FIM, IRTA, MSMA and Dorna. We started in 1992, and it seems like yesterday but the 500 Grands Prix since have been fantastic and I’ve been very lucky to be present at all of them. It’s an incredible achievement, everyone has grown the sport together. The Championship now is much, much better and we’re extremely proud to celebrate 500 Grands Prix.
"The best achievement, in my opinion, has been the improvements in safety. When we began working with IRTA we were looking to try to make the Championship safer, and it’s never enough but we had that as the main goal. The second is to really give MotoGP the chance to expand around the world, which is an important achievement. And then of course, in the last few years, with MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3, now everyone has the chance to race with the same conditions, creating incredible competition in all the classes."