P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Liberty "very confident" MotoGP buyout deal will get regulator clearance
On April 1st, Liberty, the owner of Formula 1, announced the acquisition of MotoGP and its parent company Dorna Sports from Bridgepoint Capital for €4.2 billion. The finalization of the deal was originally planned prior to the start of the 2024 MotoGP season, but clearance from anti-trust boards, particularly in the EU, has caused delays. Former owner CVC Capital was required to sell MotoGP when it acquired F1 in 2006, raising concerns about how Liberty will avoid a similar situation. Liberty CEO Greg Maffei expressed confidence that the deal would receive regulatory approval and emphasized that the two entities would not be leveraged together. The company plans to file for anti-trust clearance in the EU, UK, Brazil, and Australia, and expects the process to be completed by the end of the year for a Q4 closing. Maffei highlighted the differences in approach between Liberty and CVC, with the former having more time and flexibility to navigate the regulatory process. Liberty’s chief legal officer, Renee Wilm, mentioned that filings would also be made for Foreign Direct Investment in Spain and Italy, showing a comprehensive approach to the deal’s regulatory aspects.
