P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 owner Liberty is reportedly on the verge of adding MotoGP’s promoter Dorna to its portfolio too – but there’s a major roadblock to be cleared.
A recent report by the Financial Times suggests that Liberty Media, the rights holder of Formula 1, may be close to acquiring MotoGP and World Superbike promoter Dorna. This potential deal comes after rumors surfaced last month about Liberty’s interest in expanding its motorsport portfolio to include two-wheeled racing series. It appears that Liberty outbid Qatar Sports Investments in a competitive bidding process for Dorna, which was rumored to have been quietly put up for sale by its current owner, Bridgepoint Capital. Financial restructuring within Dorna in recent years hinted at a possible sale, with Bridgepoint owning 39% of the company, CPPIB owning 31%, and the Ezpeleta family owning 20%. However, a potential roadblock to the sale is the approval of the EU’s monopolies commissioner, which could take months of analysis before a decision is made. Despite potential challenges, Liberty and Dorna are likely seeking legal advice to navigate any regulatory hurdles before proceeding with advanced negotiations.
