The numbers, calendars and audience

Formula 1 and MotoGP represent the best of motorsport on two and four wheels. With 24 and 22 race weekends respectively in 2025, the two championships are a traveling promotional platform that over the course of 10 months touch some of the world’s most important markets.

Formula 1 boasts a massive cumulative worldwide audience of ~1.5 billion viewers annually, with an average of 70 million viewers per race and 6.3 million tickets sold across the 2023 season. MotoGP, on the other hand, has seen a 20% year-on-year growth in TV viewership and welcomed over 3 million fans at circuits in 2023. These numbers place both series at the pinnacle of global sports properties.

There are no other leagues comparable in geographical impact and frequency of events. Only the Olympics and World Cup enjoy a similar prestige, but are held every four years, while the UEFA Champions League remains geographically limited to Europe.

The show

The two championships are profoundly different, offering experiences at the antipodes in terms of vehicle nature, races duration, and complexity.

The 45-minute format of MotoGP is ideal for keeping audiences engaged. The high number and quality of overtakes ensure tension at each event. The addition of Saturday Sprint Races has made weekends even more content-rich and captivating.

Formula 1, conversely, is more complex. Strategy around tire degradation and pit stops is difficult for casual fans to grasp. The ever-present mention of Pirelli often draws criticism, raising neuromarketing concerns about brand perception. While F1 sees a high number of overtakes, fans prefer wheel-to-wheel action during braking rather than DRS-assisted passes on straights. Race length, car size, and narrow street circuits can dampen spectacle.

F1 Vs MotoGP

The popularity of the two championships mirrors the size of their respective industries. The global automotive market was valued at $2.86 trillion in 2021 and continues to grow, while the two-wheeler industry is projected to reach $145.5 billion in 2024.

Two-wheelers are dominant in India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, making these regions strongholds for MotoGP. F1, on the other hand, is more popular in Europe, the Americas, UAE, Australia, China, and Japan. Africa, with historical circuits like Kyalami, is eyeing a return to the calendar.

Branding and Strategic Resilience

Formula 1 teams excel at brand communication. Whether factory teams or independent entries, they prioritize consistent branding and visibility of commercial partners. MotoGP, however, has often leaned on rider charisma, which creates volatility.

Drivers retire, teams stay. When Schumacher left Ferrari, or Hamilton exits Mercedes, the teams’ brand equity remained intact. In contrast, Valentino Rossi’s retirement led to a notable dip in MotoGP interest. Talent with both speed and global charisma is rare, making star-dependent branding risky.

MotoGP teams must emphasize their identity and value as brands to reduce dependence on individual riders and stabilize audience engagement over time.

Sponsorship Market Dynamics

Entry into F1 is financially steeper: 5 to 10 times higher than MotoGP. Some MotoGP liveries—even factory teams—are cluttered with sponsors, indicating smaller deal sizes. Sponsorship is often localized in Southern Europe and Southeast Asia.

MotoGP has ambitions to penetrate the U.S. market, a move supported by the 2023 hiring of Dan Rossomondo (ex-NBA SVP) as Chief Commercial Officer of Dorna, and the 2024 debut of an American team.

F1 has already succeeded commercially in the U.S. and globally, thanks to the popularity of 4-wheelers and savvy content strategies like Drive to Survive.

Simplifying the Future

Are we sure we need aerodynamics in MotoGP or tire changes in F1?

F1 has grown too complex. Fans at the track often miss key developments due to lack of live information. Simplification could help.

In MotoGP, ultra-high speeds don’t necessarily enhance the show—they increase danger. More manageable bikes could mean safer and more engaging racing.

An Unsolicited Recipe for Improvement

For F1:

• No more tire changes: durable tires like those used by real-world drivers.
• Steel brakes: longer braking distances would amplify driver skill gaps and restore overtaking on braking.

For MotoGP:

• Reduce displacement to lower speeds and regain agility.
• Eliminate aerodynamic extremes that reduce overtaking.

Spectacle is rooted in duels, not top speed. Tracks must remain safe and escape routes adequate.

This comparative look reveals that while both series stand tall in motorsport, their future success may depend on different strategies, consistency vs charisma, simplification vs sophistication, and industrial might vs agility.