Valentino Rossi's retirement and the shift towards pay-TV broadcasting have significantly impacted MotoGP's growth in Italy, according to Ducati MotoGP team boss Davide Tardozzi. This is a critical issue, as Rossi was a key figure in popularizing the sport in the country, and his absence has resulted in a loss of market share. The move away from free-to-air television has also contributed to this decline, as it has made it more difficult for casual viewers to access the sport.
However, there is a silver lining. The recent success of Ducati and Aprilia in the sport has helped to boost attendance at races in Italy. The Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in 2022 drew a weekend crowd of just over 74,000, but this number grew to 166,074 last year, marking the largest weekend crowd in two decades. Misano has also seen a similar boom, with 174,000 spectators turning up last year.
Tardozzi points out that the success of Ducati and Aprilia has played a significant role in this growth. However, he also notes that Formula 1's growth under Liberty Media ownership has made him wonder if MotoGP is making mistakes. Despite the higher ticket prices, Formula 1 circuits are far busier earlier in the weekend, which raises questions about MotoGP's strategy.
One key difference between the two sports is the level of safety concerns. MotoGP cannot simply expand to cities like Las Vegas, Dubai, or Monte Carlo, as these locations present unique safety challenges. This means that the sport must be more cautious in its expansion plans, which may limit its growth potential.
In my opinion, the loss of Valentino Rossi and the shift towards pay-TV broadcasting have had a significant impact on MotoGP's growth in Italy. However, the recent success of Ducati and Aprilia, along with the lessons learned from Formula 1, provide a roadmap for the sport's future. It will be interesting to see how the new owners of MotoGP approach the challenge of balancing growth and safety concerns, and whether they can replicate the success of Formula 1 in Italy.
