MotoGP Faces Financial Crisis as KTM Struggles, Calls for Cost Regulation

MILAN, Italy — The MotoGP world is grappling with financial instability as KTM‘s insolvency threatens its future in the sport, prompting calls for stricter cost regulations. Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola emphasized the urgency of addressing the sport’s escalating expenses during a recent event in Milan.

“The warning we received from KTM’s situation should not be dismissed as bad luck. We need to take action,” Rivola stated, referencing the Austrian manufacturer’s financial troubles. KTM reportedly spends €70 million annually on its MotoGP operations, a figure Rivola believes is unsustainable without intervention.

Rivola, who previously worked in Formula 1, drew parallels to the cost cap implemented in that series. “Our sport is too expensive. We don’t need this much money to deliver a good show. We currently have airplanes on two wheels,” he said, criticizing the excessive spending in MotoGP.

The Aprilia boss also highlighted the challenges of enforcing cost regulations, citing Formula 1’s experience with monitoring compliance. “If you set a rule, you must be able to enforce it. That’s crucial,” he added.

Despite the financial strain, Rivola expressed confidence in KTM’s importance to the championship. “I don’t think we will lose KTM. The championship needs them,” he said, suggesting that a cost cap could help sustain their involvement.

Rivola also pointed to Liberty Media, the owner of Formula 1, as a potential game-changer for MotoGP. “I would be very interested in Liberty’s involvement. The Americans are generally good at self-marketing, as they’ve shown in Formula 1,” he said, referencing the series’ recent surge in popularity under Liberty’s leadership.

Liberty Media’s success in Formula 1, including the introduction of a cost cap, has sparked discussions about similar measures in MotoGP. Rivola believes such changes could elevate the sport’s appeal. “They seem to have a magic touch, and we need that in MotoGP. It’s a beautiful sport, and the riders are like superheroes,” he concluded.