Big changes may be brewing in the world of MotoGP, and the reverberations are being felt both on and off the track. With Formula 1 superstars Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen reportedly eyeing team takeovers in the premier motorcycle championship, the stage is set for a seismic shift in motorsport. Meanwhile, on the circuit, reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia faces a crisis at Ducati, falling far behind his teammate Marc Marquez, as MotoGP's power dynamics threaten to be upended both in the paddock and the boardroom.
Let’s start with the headline-makers from Formula 1. On September 11, 2025, news broke that Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, two of the most iconic names in F1, are actively exploring the acquisition of teams in MotoGP. This isn’t just idle speculation—both drivers have established connections to motorcycle racing and have recently made moves that could see them become major players in the sport.
Hamilton's passion for two wheels is well documented. During his tenure at Mercedes, he was known to rent out tracks and ride superbikes with his engineers, often expressing his admiration for MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi. Now, with Liberty Media—the group responsible for F1’s explosive global growth—pushing MotoGP toward a similar expansion, Hamilton is eager to seize the moment. According to sources, Hamilton and his team have already reached out to at least three independent MotoGP outfits, including earlier efforts to enter through Gresini and KTM. Though those attempts didn’t pan out, Hamilton’s group, backed by TWG Motorsport, remains in active negotiations and is evaluating fresh opportunities.
Verstappen, never one to shy away from a new motorsport challenge, is also making his interest known. Already involved in GT3 racing with Verstappen.com Racing, the Dutchman is looking to broaden his motorsport footprint. His manager, Raymond Vermeulen, confirmed that exploratory discussions have taken place with several private MotoGP teams, including LCR. While Vermeulen has emphasized that talks are still in the early stages and there’s no guarantee of a deal, Verstappen’s intent is clear—he wants to be part of MotoGP’s next chapter. The three-time F1 world champion is carefully weighing his options, ensuring that the timing and circumstances are right before making a full commitment.
This surge of interest isn’t limited to the F1 stars. Ikon Capital, led by former F1 team boss Günther Steiner, recently acquired Tech3, signaling a broader wave of investment in MotoGP. Liberty Media’s playbook—focusing on global exposure, media rights, and cross-promotional opportunities—has already yielded massive results in Formula 1. Bringing in names like Hamilton and Verstappen would be a media coup, promising to propel MotoGP into the global mainstream and attract legions of new fans.
But while the business side of MotoGP is buzzing with anticipation, the racing itself is just as dramatic. Francesco Bagnaia, who not so long ago was Ducati’s golden boy, finds himself deep in the shadow of his new teammate Marc Marquez. The numbers tell a stark story: Bagnaia is a staggering 250 points behind Marquez in the 2025 season, a gulf that has left the Italian star searching for answers and support.
Bagnaia’s struggles have not gone unnoticed. Former world champion Jorge Lorenzo, who faced similar difficulties during his own stint at Ducati, has publicly empathized with Bagnaia. Reflecting on his time at the Borgo Panigale squad after leaving Yamaha, Lorenzo said, "It’s not that I don’t think they’re being patient with the lad. It’s just that there’s no patience in MotoGP today." According to Lorenzo, the relentless pace and high expectations of the modern paddock leave little room for riders to find their footing when things go awry.
Bagnaia himself has voiced frustration throughout the season, repeatedly citing a lack of 'feeling' on the Ducati bike. Despite his two world titles and a current standing of third overall, the breakthrough he and the team are hoping for seems elusive as the season heads into its final six races. Both Bagnaia and Ducati appear to be waiting for a spark that may never come.
The psychological toll of such a slump can be immense, and some in the MotoGP community believe that Bagnaia needs more than just technical support. On the Duralavita podcast, Ruben Xaus called for Valentino Rossi—Bagnaia’s mentor and a legend in his own right—to step in and provide guidance. "I mean, if anyone can guide him and show him the way, help him in some way, off the races, Valentino Rossi has experience, he’s fought with everyone, and psychologically he’s been a killer. It doesn’t seem like they’re supporting him mentally," Xaus remarked. The suggestion is that Rossi, with his unique blend of experience and psychological insight, could help Bagnaia rediscover his edge.
Meanwhile, Ducati’s leadership insists that the machinery isn’t the problem. Team boss Luigi Dall’Igna maintains that the 2025 bike is largely unchanged from last year, when Bagnaia battled Jorge Martin for the title until the final race. However, the introduction of a new engine for 2025 appears to have shifted the bike’s balance, suiting Marquez’s aggressive style while leaving Bagnaia and fellow Ducati rider Fabio di Giannantonio struggling. The results are hard to ignore: Marquez has won an astonishing 24 out of 30 races this year, and Ducati is expected to focus its 2026 development efforts around him.
This shift in priorities could have major implications for Bagnaia’s future with the team. If the current trend continues, his prospects for a new contract may be in jeopardy, despite his significant contributions to Ducati’s recent history. As Lorenzo pointed out, the paddock can be quick to forget past glories when new stars emerge and expectations soar ever higher.
Back in the boardroom, the prospect of Hamilton and Verstappen entering MotoGP as team owners or major investors adds yet another layer of intrigue to the sport’s evolving landscape. Their famous rivalry, already the stuff of legend in F1, could spill over into MotoGP, attracting a wave of media attention and new fans. With Liberty Media steering the ship and a host of new investors circling, MotoGP stands on the brink of a new era—one where the drama off the track may rival the action on it.
As the 2025 MotoGP season barrels toward its conclusion, all eyes are on both the pit lane and the paddock. Will Bagnaia find the support he needs to reclaim his form, or will Ducati’s focus on Marquez leave him out in the cold? And will Hamilton and Verstappen’s next big move truly reshape the future of motorcycle racing? For now, the answers remain tantalizingly out of reach—but one thing’s certain: MotoGP’s future has never looked more unpredictable, or more exciting.
