MotoGP | Exclusive: Ezpeleta (CEO Dorna) talks about the 2020 season, Marquez, Rossi, Dovizioso, Iannone and the future of the Top Class

MotoGP 2020 – 2020 was a difficult year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was for everyone, including the MotoGP.

To talk about this season which ended with Joan Mir's MotoGP victory, we exclusively interviewed Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta.

With Ezpeleta we "touched" various topics: the difficulty in organizing the start of the MotoGP in the middle of the pandemic (the most difficult moment and the best moment), the absence of Marc Marquez, the 2021 calendar with Brno out and Portimao reserved, the possibility of Honda to field three bikes, the absence of Andrea Dovizioso next year, the Iannone doping case and Valentino Rossi, rider and future Team Manager.

Statements CEO Dorna Carmelo Ezpeleta MotoGP 2020 Covid-19

“When we returned from Qatar (the Moto2 and Moto3 classes had raced since they were already there for testing, ed.) we realized the situation, the MotoGP couldn't race there because there were entry restrictions for the Italians , who could not enter the country. The first thing we did was postpone the first non-European races, Argentina, America and Thailand. In the first weeks of March, given the situation, we even thought about not running any races. Initially we talked to the board about helping the teams if the championship was not played, but a few days later we thought we could play the season. We started talking to the various promoters. The most important thing was the creation of a protocol to avoid contagions and at the beginning we spoke with the Spanish government since we would start in July in Jerez. Afterwards we talked to the other promoters. The most important moment was when we decided to move forward; we spoke with the FIM, with the manufacturers, obviously with the teams and everyone agreed to compete in the season.”

Statements by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta on the importance of starting in Jerez MotoGP 2020 Covid-19

“At that time the pandemic in Spain was not that serious, it was important to start in a known place. When we raced in July in Spain there was an almost 'normal' situation. It was important to demonstrate to the authorities of all countries that the 'bubble' we had created was working. Everyone in the paddock respected the rules and we managed to compete the season.”

Statements by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta most difficult moment and best moment MotoGP 2020 Covid-19

“The most difficult moment was in the weeks leading up to Jerez, because there were so many question marks. We were helped by the Spanish, Czech and Austrian governments. At that moment it proved that MotoGP was really important for them too. We passed the litmus test in Jerez, where we demonstrated that in two weeks we haven't created any problems. The first Grand Prix with the public was in Misano, it was fantastic to race with the public, as was getting to the last race in Portimao. We were never afraid of not finishing, once we started we knew we could finish. The work that Misano and the Emilia Romagna region did to have a certain number of spectators was fantastic. Subsequently only in France did we have spectators but in smaller numbers.”

Statements CEO Dorna Carmelo Ezpeleta MotoGP 2021 Covid-19

“As for 2021, each country has its own law, we cannot force anyone to get vaccinated if the vaccine is available. We are currently monitoring the situation to ensure that the set dates are respected. We don't know whether we will have spectators or not, but we are prepared to use the same protocol as in 2020, improved in some aspects given the experience we have had. We are in contact with Qatar for the first race and if the situation is better so be it, otherwise we will use the same protocol as in 2020.”

Statements from Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta 2021 MotoGP double races

“At the moment we are thinking of running the scheduled races, but never say never about a possible double race. Our intention is to have a 'normal' calendar, but nothing is ruled out.”

Dorna CEO statements Carmelo Ezpeleta Brno out of MotoGP 2021

“Brno was unable to carry out the necessary works to have the track approved and therefore it will not be in the 2021 calendar. The works consisted of redoing the asphalt and some expansion of the escape routes and had been requested some time ago. Due to the pandemic and other factors they were unable to carry out the work, I don't know if they will do it from now on, but when we drew up the calendar they gave no reassurances on whether it would be carried out."

Dorna CEO statements Carmelo Ezpeleta absence Marc Marquez MotoGP 2020

“Marc Marquez crashed in Jerez taking risks as he has always done since the beginning of his career. He has been lucky many times, but he had already been unlucky when he raced in Moto2 (he crashed in 2011 in Sepang in Malaysia due to unreported rain and his career was at risk because he saw a double due to the blow he took for a long period, ed.). Marquez is an incredible character, he has an incredible passion for his work. He was unlucky in Jerez, but the world championship still has value. For example, I remember 1999 and no one ever thought that the Championship was less important because Doohan fell (the world championship was won by Crivillè, ed.). Obviously with a title contender like Marquez things would have changed, but the Championship is made with those who go on the track. For me, the argument that the title has less value because for example 15 races are run and not 18 is not right, at the beginning when we started there were 12/13 races and it was an absolutely valid world championship. The 2020 Championship was beautiful and hard-fought, it certainly would have been more so with Marquez, but this doesn't change things."

Statements by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta possible exception to the regulations to field 3 HRC bikes for Marc Marquez MotoGP 2021

“It will not be possible to field more than two bikes for the same Team. HRC has two entries for Team Repsol Honda and two for Team Lucio Cecchinello. There will be no possibility of making exceptions."

Dorna CEO statements Carmelo Ezpeleta absence Andrea Dovizioso MotoGP 2021

“Obviously not having Andrea (Dovizioso, ed.) is a loss. Apart from this year, in previous years he was vice-world champion three times. At the moment he hasn't found any agreement to race, but I think like him he also said it could be a sabbatical. I don't know if he will return this year or next, but I don't consider him a retired driver. He didn't talk about retirement but about a sabbatical."

Dorna CEO statements Carmelo Ezpeleta Iannone doping case MotoGP 2019/2020

“Personally I'm not happy because I think that Andrea (Iannone, ed.), based on what he told me and the way we talked, didn't take anything. The reality is that now there are these rules, I may or may not agree with these FIM regulations but these are the rules at the moment. Obviously I spoke to the FIM and gave my opinion. I didn't like what happened with Andrea and I think this is a topic that needs to be discussed for the future."

Dorna CEO statements Carmelo Ezpeleta future MotoGP 2022/2026

“All the independent teams have an agreement with us, except Esponsorama whose agreement will expire at the end of 2021. As regards the maximum number of races over the 2022/2026 period, we are talking about 22 races, as per the agreements with the manufacturers and teams.”

Statements CEO Dorna Carmelo Ezpeleta Valentino Rossi Petronas MotoGP 2021

“As I have always said, I have a lot of respect for what Valentino (Rossi, ed.) does. He is very important for the Championship, both for what he has done and for what he is still doing. I think the long negotiation between Rossi, Yamaha and Petronas was dictated by the desire to have a competitive bike. I have always said that I really respect what Valentino does, he will certainly have worked with Yamaha and Petronas to be competitive.

Statements by CEO Dorna Carmelo Ezpeleta Valentino Rossi future Team Manager

“I don't know what the future will be, I know that in 2021 the Esponsorama Team will have one part sponsored by VR46 (where Luca Marini will race, ed.) and the other for another rider to race (Enea Bastianini, 2020 Moto2 world champion, ed.). What happens next will be decided at the beginning of 2021. It will be important to continue to have Valentino in the paddock whatever his role."

Statements by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta future Portimao Grand Prix

“The Portimao circuit is the reserve circuit for the 2021 European races and from 2022 to 2026 it will have a fixed contract like all the other races in the Iberian Peninsula, Spain and Portugal.”