MotoGP riders could soon form a unified commission to strengthen their influence within the sport, following the pattern of Formula 1’s Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA). Marc Marquez, the Ducati rider and multiple world champion, said the idea is inevitable as the grid increasingly feels sidelined over decisions affecting race weekends.
The backdrop to Marquez’s comments is the recent announcement of a new grand prix weekend format for next season, confirmed by MotoGP and the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). The biggest change is the addition of a dedicated qualifying session for sprint races. This has divided riders, with some seeing it as a positive innovation and others, including Marquez, worried it will increase stress and risks during an already demanding event schedule.
Speaking at the Mandalika press conference, Marquez said: “What is interesting is knowing what the objective of this change is, because for the riders it will simply be more demanding.” He did not attend the Safety Commission meeting held at Motegi where Carlos Ezpeleta, MotoGP’s deputy CEO, explained the new schedule to four riders in attendance.
Two camps have emerged among riders over the new format. Francesco Bagnaia and Luca Marini welcome it, seeing it as an interesting addition. Meanwhile, Marquez and others feel the compressed schedule adds pressure without riders having a meaningful say. “It doesn’t matter what we think, they haven’t given us a choice,” said Pedro Acosta. “The decision has been made between the championship and the teams; the riders have had nothing to do with it. You accept it because that’s the way it is.”
Alex Marquez echoed his brother’s sentiment, saying: “The teams and the organisation make the decisions; you either accept them or you leave. The format has been changed, it has been made official, and the riders have had very little information about it. But I can’t say much either, because I’ve been more focused on my own season than on other things.”
The lack of a collective riders’ voice in MotoGP remains a significant issue. Unlike Formula 1, where the GPDA has existed since 1961 to look after drivers’ collective interests, MotoGP riders have struggled to create a similar body. Sylvain Guintoli was appointed as the public face of an attempt to establish such an association, and formal steps were taken at the end of 2023. However, the project stalled amid concerns over operating costs and a general lack of unity.
Marquez, one of the most experienced and influential riders, acknowledged the difficulty in forming a collective group, citing the youth and individualism on the grid. “The problem with MotoGP is that the average age is very young. Everyone looks after their own interests, we are selfish, and it is difficult to make people see reason,” he said.
He also offered a long-term perspective, noting that despite differences, all riders want to “be here, to go fast, to win, and to have the necessary safety to be able to manage as long a racing career as possible.”
Marquez dismissed the idea that he could lead such a commission while still actively racing. “While you are an active rider, it is impossible to lead a riders’ commission,” he said.
The discussion around the new weekend format and the riders’ lack of involvement has revived talk about forming an association. Marquez predicted this would happen eventually, as it has in other motorsport disciplines. “Sooner or later, the association will be formed, as happens in Formula 1,” he said.
At present, the decision on the new race weekend format stands, with the compressed schedule set to begin next season despite split opinions among riders and limited consultation.
According to Yahoo Sports.
