Formula 1 owner Liberty Media is set to acquire MotoGP parent company Dorna from Bridgepoint and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board for €4.2 billion. Liberty Media plans to replicate its Formula 1 success and expand MotoGP's viewership in America.

MotoGP's business model, like F1's, is based on broadcast rights, circuit fees, sponsorship and merchandising. Dorna is 40% owned by the Bridgepoint Fund, 38% is held by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and 22% is held by employees led by CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta. MotoGP generated revenues of €486 million and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of €179 million last year.

Under the agreement, Liberty Media will acquire approximately 86% of Dorna, while management will retain approximately 14%. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

However, the transaction could trigger scrutiny from competition regulators in various jurisdictions. CVC Capital Partners, which sold Formula 1 to Liberty in 2016, had to sell Dorna in 2006, a condition set by the European Commission when it bought F1.