Last year’s MotoGP season ended with Francesco Bagnaia taking a historic title, Ducati’s first championship after 15 years, while the Italian also became the first-rider ever to overturn a 91-point deficit to win the World Championship.
Last year also marked the end of a period of reasonable stability for MotoGP, with 2023 ushering in one of the biggest wholesale changes seen for many years as sprint races come in to shake up the race weekends.
There have been some major rider moves too, as Suzuki’s shock decision to quit the series left 2020 World Champion Joan Mir and his multiple race-winning teammate Álex Rins looking for seats elsewhere.
Honda, KTM and Ducati have all seen big changes to their line-ups for 2023, with only one rookie joining the fold for the new season in the form of reigning Moto2 World Champion, Augusto Fernández.
The race calendar itself has expanded to complement the addition of sprint races, with new races in Kazakhstan and India swelling the schedule to a record 21 rounds.
With the 2023 MotoGP season just about a month away, let’s take a look at all of the competition’s sponsors and partners ahead of the season-opener in Portimão.
Also read: Formula One Sponsors 2023
The Swiss watchmaker has been involved in the fast lane of motorsports racing for a long time now. Tissot first partnered with MotoGP by becoming its Official Timekeeper in 2001.
Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder of MotoGP, announced a renewal of its contract with Tissot in 2021, extending their partnership for many more years to come.
The latest deal also includes the pole-sitter at each Grand Prix receiving a watch and a Tissot pole position certificate, while the rider with the most pole positions at the end of the season gets awarded a Pole of Poles award. Tissot also benefits from trackside branding, while also being the title sponsor for the Portuguese Grand Prix.
The France-based tyre manufacturer became the sole tyre supplier to the MotoGP in 2016. The premier class of motorcycle racing has since enjoyed some of the closest competition in history.
Since taking over as the sole tyre supplier, Michelin has taken MotoGP’s competitiveness to new heights, with ten of the closest top 15 finishes of all time having arrived after 2018.
As part of the agreement, the Michelin brand features trackside at each event. Michelin is also set to serve as the title sponsor of the Argentina Grand Prix this season.
A three-year contract extension signed in September 2021 will take this association to 2026, marking it a decade-long partnership between the two parties.
The German automobile giant has been the official car sponsor of the MotoGP World Championship since 1999. Although providing the safety car fleet is at the centre of this involvement, since 2003, BMW M has also been honouring the fastest qualifiers of the season with the coveted BMW M award, while also serving as the title sponsor to the Styrian Grand Prix.
Last year, the first-ever BMW M3 Touring MotoGP Safety Car was unveiled at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed. This year, the new BMW M2 CS Racing MotoGP Safety Car will roll out of the pit lane for the start of the season. Both cars will be joined by the BMW M3, the BMW M4 and the BMW M5 CS Safety Car as well as the BMW M 1000 RR Safety Bike.
The BMW M 1000 RR is the first M model from BMW Motorbikes and will be seen in a racing version in the Superbike World Championship.
In 2014, Thai beer brand Singha became MotoGP’s first-ever official beer sponsor.
As per the agreement with Dorna Sports, Singha holds exclusive pouring rights in selected areas, including all European races, excluding the ones in Spain. The agreement also includes extended trackside branding rights at MotoGP events.
Singha, which is brewed by Boon Rawd Brewery, was already active in motorsports as a sponsor of Red Bull Racing Formula One Team when it signed the MotoGP agreement.
The Bonn-headquartered German courier service signed a three-year contract with the MotoGP World Championship in 2015. The alliance saw DHL become the official logistics partner of MotoGP and its support classes, Moto2 and Moto3.
Dorna Sports signed a contract extension with DHL in 2018, which has seen the partnership carry on into the upcoming 2023 season.
Alongside providing logistics aid, the partnership also entails extensive marketing opportunities. With customer hospitality and logo usage rights for customer marketing initiatives, DHL benefits from trackside advertising at MotoGP races, earning exposure to live television audiences in more than 200 countries.
In February 2022, Dorna Sports and Pertamina announced the agreement for the title sponsorship of the Indonesian Grand Prix.
The three-year agreement, set to run from 2022 to 2024, sees the Indonesian energy giant take top billing at the new Mandalika Circuit. The official name of the event is the “Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia”.
This title sponsorship agreement strengthens both Pertamina and Indonesia’s presence in the sport further, in addition to the sponsorship of the Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team in the Moto2 World Championship and the brand-new Mandalika venue itself.
Dorna Sports’ partnership with iconic energy drink company Red Bull has seen the latter sponsor both the 2020 Gran Premio de España and the 2020 Gran Premio de Andalucía.
The current agreement sees Red Bull serve as the title sponsor to the Gran Premio de España as well as the Grand Prix of the Americas until 2024, while also serving as a co-sponsor of the Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini.
Red Bull is not only present in every category, partnering with a wide range of athletes and teams, it is also a significant contributor to the motorcycle racing landscape through the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, of which it is both the title sponsor and the co-organiser.
In 2019, Dorna Sports and Shark Helmets signed a three-year contract, with the latter becoming the title sponsor of the French Grand Prix. The event, held at Le Mans in northwest France, has since been named the “SHARK Helmets Grand Prix de France”.
Founded more than 30 years ago in Marseille, Shark Helmets has gained a substantial global presence and has been worn by multiple World Champions like Jorge Lorenzo and Johann Zarco.
Eyewear brand Oakley has been a long-standing partner of the MotoGP World Championship as its official eyewear supplier. The two further strengthened this association by naming Oakley the title sponsor for the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello in September 2017, thereby renaming the event the “Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley”.
Dorna Sports and Oakley initially signed the Italian GP title sponsorship agreement for the 2017 and 2018 seasons with an option to extend the deal for an additional year, but another agreement in 2019 extended the deal until the 2023 Italian GP.
In 2021, Dorna Sports announced an extension to its partnership with Monster Energy, with a new multi-year agreement taking its long-standing association to over a decade.
As per the current deal, the iconic M takes top billing at two Grands Prix, namely the Gran Premi (Monster Energy) de Catalunya and the (Monster Energy) British Grand Prix. Monster Energy first took centre stage at Le Mans in 2010 and was the title sponsor last at the 2014 Catalan Grand Prix before this association.
Monster Energy has been an integral member of the MotoGP paddock for many years, serving as title sponsor to both teams and events as well as a number of riders throughout the MotoGP classes.
Lubricant giant Liqui Moly had been represented in MotoGP for nearly a decade now since first entering the sphere as the title sponsor of a Moto2 team in 2013. A three-year contract expansion in January 2021 saw the German company become the title sponsor of its home Grand Prix at the Sachsenring.
Another contract extension signed in October 2022 has resulted in Liqui Moly becoming the Exclusive Lubricant Supplier in Moto2 and Moto3, while also sponsoring the German GP till 2027, with the event to be known as “Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland”.
Dorna Sports in November 2014 announced that premium oil and lubricant specialist Motul would be the title sponsor of the Grand Prix of Japan and TT Assen from 2015 to 2017.
The pair then renewed their contract for the next tenure and added a third event, the (Motul) Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana, ahead of the 2018 season.
As we gear up for the 2023 season, Motul is set to be the title sponsor of the above-mentioned events for yet another year.
Dorna Sports and CryptoDATA Tech, a Romanian company that develops both hardware- and software-based cybersecurity solutions based on blockchain technology, have a deal in place that sees the latter serve as the title sponsor to the Austrian Grand Prix from 2022 to 2024.
CryptoDATA Tech takes top billing at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, with the event thusly named the “CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich”.
CryptoDATA Tech develops high-performance products and services with unique cybersecurity attributes applicable in various domains due to their integrated features based on blockchain technology and encryption with an environmentally-friendly approach.
In June 2022, Animoca Brands and Dorna Sports announced that the former would become the title sponsor of two Grands Prix in 2022 and 2023. The Hong Kong-based company thus takes top billing at the Grand Prix of Aragon and the Australian Grand Prix, with the events officially named the “Gran Premio Animoca Brands de Aragón” and the “Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix”, respectively.
Animoca Brands first became a partner of MotoGP in 2019, when it gained the rights to develop the first MotoGP-themed NFTs. The two companies are currently working on “MotoGP™ Ignition” — a competitive management and collectibles game platform based on MotoGP that is a part of the REVV Motorsport ecosystem of play-and-earn games.
In August 2022, Gryfyn, Animoca Brands’ NFT-centric custodian wallet, and Dorna Sports announced that the former would become the title sponsor of the Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini in 2022 and 2023. As a result, the event has been renamed to “Gran Premio Gryfyn di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini”.
Gryfyn, a joint venture between Animoca Brands and Hex Trust, was established in 2022 to provide institutional-grade digital asset wallets and financial services, with all experiences centred around its NFT-centric custodial wallet.
As a consequence of this alliance, Gryfyn has become a key partner of Dorna Sports in the emerging open metaverse and Web3 arenas, further expanding the ongoing collaboration between Dorna Sports and the Animoca Brands group of companies.
PTT Oil and Retail Public Company Limited (OR) serves as the title sponsor to the Grand Prix of Thailand.
OR first took up the title sponsorship of the Thai GP during its 2020 edition and will be heading into the fourth year of its association this season as it continues to strive to take Thai motorsports to newer heights.
During the first stretch of the 2022 season, Dorna Sports confirmed that Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas would become the title sponsor of the Malaysian Grand Prix, with the event officially named the “Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia”.
The three-year contract sees the company hold the title sponsorship rights for the Malaysian GP at least till 2024, though talks are already underway between the parties to extend the agreement until 2026.
Also read: MotoGP: 2023 VR46 Racing Team Sponsors
The sports performance equipment and eyewear company headquartered in Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, California has been MotoGP’s sunglasses supplier for a long time.
The last official renewal agreement between the two parties was announced back in February 2009.
Alpinestars became the official clothing supplier of the MotoGP World Championship in 2008.
Apart from supplying racewear for the riders, the French company also has a deal in place with MotoGP that sees it catering to the demands of its global mass following by providing a casual clothing collection throughout its worldwide sales network.
Yamaha first became the exclusive scooter supplier for Dorna Sports in 2005 and has since proven a valuable and reliable partner for personnel in the MotoGP paddock.
Yamaha and Dorna Sports signed a new agreement in 2021, which has seen the Japanese company continue on as the official scooter supplier to the FIM MotoGP World Championship coming into the 2023 season.
As per the terms of the agreement, Yamaha supplies Dorna with a fleet of 25 NMAX 125 scooters, which were presented and put into service for the first time during the Gran Premio 888 de Portugal in Portimão in 2021. The scooters were used throughout the 2021 season, providing an efficient, safe and reliable way for MotoGP staff to move around during events.
Vislink has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Dorna Sports, which dates back to 2002.
In 2022, Vislink Technologies announced a further three-year contract extension with Dorna Sports, as per which it remains the official RF systems supplier to MotoGP for video communications, including on-board systems, until 2024.
In meeting the requirements of the challenging demands of MotoGP, Vislink provides stable imagery from motorcycles that reach top speeds of over 300 kmph, undergo relentless acceleration and deceleration, and are subject to fierce vibrations and lean angles of up to 70 degrees.
Magneti Marelli and Dorna Sports signed a landmark agreement that gave all MotoGP premier-class competitors access to the Italian company’s electronic control system in 2013.
Marelli’s electric control system includes an engine and a chassis control unit with an inboard data-logger as well as the relevant tuning and data analysis tools, dashboard, handlebar toggle switch and inertial platform.
Magneti Marelli and Dorna Sports recently renewed their partnership on a multi-year contract, which will see the Italian company supply its electronic contract system until 2024.
In May 2022, Tata Communications and Dorna Sports renewed their pact on a multi-year strategic collaboration. With its world-leading, digital-first suite of media offerings, Tata Communications allows MotoGP to continue to ensure excellent video quality, coupled with tremendous speed, delivering the race live from the track to the viewers’ screens in just a few tenths of a second.
Tata Communications and Dorna teams are also looking to boost migration from an on-site traditional media production to a remote production, which will culminate in a future cloud-based model, increasing the number of video signals from 60 to 110—some in ultra-low latency—providing more content to the viewers and enabling the innovation of remotely-produced immersive sound.
Dorna Sports announced a three-year deal with JVCKENWOOD in 2018, as the Japanese company became MotoGP’s radio communications supplier and later renewed that contract for a further three years as the pair enter the final year of their contract.
As per the agreement, Dorna exclusively uses the JVCKENWOOD radios on-site. In addition to supplying technical equipment, this deal also includes visibility for JVCKENWOOD during MotoGP broadcasts as well as trackside publicity and hospitality at the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas, and the Dutch GP at the TT Circuit Assen.
Spanish healthcare provider Quirónsalud agreed on a broad partnership deal with Dorna Sports in 2013. Quirónsalud, thus, serves as MotoGP’s medical director, providing healthcare services to the paddock.
Quirónsalud replaced Clinica Mobile, which had a 45-year-long association with MotoGP. This replacement left quite a few raised eyebrows around the paddock.
In 2018, Dorna Sports announced Enel, an Italian multinational manufacturer and distributor of electricity and gas, as the official title sponsor of the MotoE World Cup as well as the Sustainable Power Partner of the MotoGP World Championship from the 2019 season onwards.
As MotoGP’s Sustainable Power Partner, Enel cooperates with Dorna Sports to provide the FIM MotoGP World Championship with advanced energy solutions, including those aimed at boosting the energy efficiency of the competition’s events.
Enel, through its advanced energy services division Enel X, provides the FIM MotoE World Cup with a set of different technologies that encompass smart charging technology, advanced energy services and green energy solutions.
Dorna Sports and Consorzio Prosecco DOC marked the beginning of a new era on the podium of the FIM MotoGP World Championship in 2019, as the Italian wine consortium became the official Prosecco supplier of the championship.
Apart from accompanying riders as they celebrate, Consorzio Prosecco DOC boasts pivotal presence in the MotoGP VIP Village and holds trackside advertising rights at five Grands Prix: the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, the Gran Premio Gryfyn di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, and the Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. At each race, the brands of Prosecco DOC take centre stage, bringing the best of the wine to the attention of key markets worldwide.
In 2019, Dorna Sports announced a new partnership with Lenovo, which led to the global tech brand becoming the Technical Partner of the FIM MotoGP World Championship. This association came on the back of Lenovo’s gaming brand Legion having already served as a partner to the MotoGP eSport Championship.
Lenovo has since also become a visible part of each MotoGP race weekend, appearing on on-screen graphics during TV broadcasts at every Grand Prix to offer millions of viewers a more informative broadcast experience and emphasising real-time performance data, while also featuring on prominent banners in the pitlane at each circuit.
February 2022 saw Quintevents, an industry leader in premium hospitality and experiences for sports and live entertainment around the world, and Dorna Sports announce a multi-year partnership agreement.
Running from 2022 until 2026, the partnership entails the pair launching MotoGP Premier — a new hospitality offering to fans providing exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences at races and events. This includes a revamp of MotoGP’s hospitality offering—known as the MotoGP VIP Village—and a grandstand ticket with additional experiences.
New Mexico-based wellness brand Craft 1861 serves as the official wellness partner to the FIM MotoGP World Championship. This multi-year collaboration began in 2022 and is a global first in motorsports, ushering in a new era of accessible, innovative well-being.
Craft 1861 also has in place a partnership with Pramac Racing, having become the Wellness Partner of one of the sport’s most successful independent teams in 2022.
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