Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta Misses First MotoGP Race in 33 Years

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta will miss a MotoGP race for the first time in 33 years when the British Grand Prix takes place at Silverstone this weekend. Ezpeleta, who is 79 years old, recently underwent surgery for a spinal injury that has caused him pain for many years.

He decided to address his spinal condition on Monday, ending an attendance streak that began when Dorna started running the MotoGP championship in 1992. Since then, Ezpeleta has been present at every event on the calendar, attending a remarkable 562 grands prix during his leadership.

The Silverstone round will be the first grand prix Ezpeleta has not attended since the Dorna Sports takeover. Despite his ongoing spinal health issues, he had managed to keep working and traveling to all events worldwide.

Ezpeleta remains hopeful that this absence will be brief, aiming to return to the MotoGP paddock for the next championship round in Aragon, Spain, scheduled in two weeks.

Ezpeleta has been a central figure in MotoGP, not only as CEO but also as the largest individual shareholder within Dorna. Under his leadership, more than 500 grands prix have been organized, shaping MotoGP into the globally recognized championship it is today.

As part of ongoing changes, MotoGP is preparing for a major ownership shift with Liberty Media set to complete a €4.2 billion purchase of the series. After the sale, Ezpeleta will continue to hold about 14 percent of the championship and is expected to remain as CEO through at least the end of 2026, alongside sporting director Carlos Ezpeleta.

Major technical changes are ahead for MotoGP beginning in 2027. The series plans to switch to 850cc engines and limit aerodynamics, as outlined in the FIM regulations.

Adjustments will also include simplified ride-height devices and the introduction of a new tire supplier. Many of these rule changes have been advocated by Ezpeleta, who has long focused on steering the sport toward greater competition, safety, and sustainability.

Confirmation from the EU antitrust commission is the last step for Liberty Media’s purchase of MotoGP, with a decision expected before mid-summer. Throughout the transition period, both Carmelo Ezpeleta and Carlos Ezpeleta are expected to keep their current roles while guiding the championship into a new era.

Ezpeleta’s surgery may have ended a record-setting attendance streak, but his influence around the MotoGP paddock continues. Fans and teams are looking forward to his expected return in Aragon.

Meanwhile, attention remains on the significant changes coming in both the management and technical direction of MotoGP in the next two years. For more details on the history of MotoGP, you can explore its Wikipedia page.