Liberty Media director Chase Carey believes MotoGP “can’t simply copy” Netflix’s Formulation 1 docuseries Drive to Survive to achieve widespread recognition.
Liberty acquired F1 in January 2017, and one of many main occasions underneath the American firm was the discharge of the Netflix present’s opening season two years later, which considerably contributed to the world championship’s elevated reputation.
Liberty then purchased 84% of Dorna Sports activities (now generally known as MotoGP Sports activities Leisure Group) in July 2025. The group is searching for to make motorbike grands prix extra numerous – 11 of the highest 12 riders within the 2026 MotoGP championship are Spanish or Italian – whereas growing its presence in america.
“Actually there are parts of what groups have to do in MotoGP that can have similarities to Formulation 1,” Carey mentioned in a convention at Autosport Enterprise Alternate in New York. “Clearly, it’s a international franchise.
“In some methods, MotoGP is even crazier. While you have a look at these guys, they appear like they’re mendacity on the pavement driving the bikes round. However it’s a sport that additionally has its distinctive traits. And I believe you possibly can’t simply cookie-cutter [the approach].
“It is early days. They’re engaged on it, growing the methods, the alternatives of how you’re taking that sport and develop it in the best way we have tried to with Formulation 1.”
Drive to Survive has been credited with introducing F1 to a brand-new viewers, boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic’s lockdowns, which first occurred a few weeks after season two was launched.
“Drive to Survive might be the obvious instance,” Carey acknowledged. “We recognised we would have liked to have the personalities that make up the game, give them a much bigger platform and let followers interact.
“The digital world right now is a 24/7 world. The premium expertise remains to be that dwell race, however on the finish of the day individuals are connecting with the race, following the race and clips of the race, clips of what individuals are doing, issues occurring behind the scenes.
“They’re following that 24/7. So we have to proceed to search out methods to feed that urge for food and that want to attach with their sport, present the autos that allow followers to attach with the game in that manner.
Liz Claman and Chase Carey
Picture by: Bryan Bedder / Getty Pictures
“Proper now the US is the largest YouTube marketplace for our sport. So it tells you concerning the connection we’re having by way of [those] autos.
“Drive to Survive has grow to be a centerpiece within the digital efforts. Quite a lot of efforts are occurring with digital, however that definitely is the centerpiece. It has been an extremely necessary, invaluable franchise for us.”
Many competitions, in motorsport and past, have tried to emulate this success, however Carey doesn’t consider that may be proper for MotoGP.
“It is best to search for alternatives,” the American insisted. “Realistically, everyone noticed Drive to Survive after which everyone tried to do it. Golf tried to do their Full Swing, tennis tried to do Break Level – everyone.
“Often, you possibly can’t simply copy one thing. I believe we realized that at Fox with American Idol. American Idol kind of captured the world’s creativeness, and there have been exhibits that got here behind and did nicely, however there was just one American Idol that actually did that.
“I believe typically you possibly can’t exit and do the identical factor. You have to discover methods to make use of alternatives, use personalities, use digital platforms, develop nice companions.
“A associate in Formulation 1 like Apple, I believe that is the place Apple has introduced a complete new perspective to the way you broadcast and join with followers. So I believe that kind of alternative, you have to then see what you are able to do with it, the way you develop it.
“They need to comply with their very own path and discover their very own alternatives. The Formulation 1 film was an important alternative for that, however you possibly can’t simply exit and do a MotoGP film. That is probably not the suitable alternative.
“However there could also be one thing else – there can be one thing else. It is in all probability not simply doing the identical belongings you did, it is discovering these alternatives, discovering these personalities.”
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