MotoGP signs new five-year deal with teams' association
MotoGP has announced a five-year extension to agreement in place between Dorna Sports and the International Road-Racing Teams' Association (IRTA) beginning in 2022


In 2016, Dorna signed a five-year agreement with MotoGP's independent teams running from 2017-2021 safeguarding the signed-on outfits for that duration and ensuring (among other things) increased financial support.
The IRTA was founded in 1986 and has acted as a voice for grand prix racing's teams in MotoGP's decision-making process.
This latest agreement will continue to strengthen Dorna's relationship with IRTA, with their efforts in recent years in increasing support for independent teams leading to a much more competitive grid.
In 2020, three independent team riders in Petronas SRT duo Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli, and Tech3's Miguel Oliveira won eight of the 14 grands prix combined.
This new deal is the second one set for a five-year duration, and is the seventh agreement in total agreed between Dorna and IRTA.
"We could not be happier to announce another five-year agreement with IRTA and the Independent Teams," Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said.
"I am proud of what we have achieved so far and I look forward to continuing our collaboration.
"One of the first things we did when we began in MotoGP [in 1992] was to start working closely with IRTA, and the historic levels of competition and interest in the sport are an achievement we are proud to share.

"It gives me great pleasure to watch our Independent Teams going from strength to strength and I very much look forward to at least another five years working together, pushing MotoGP to new heights once again.
"I also want to extend my personal thank you to both Mike Trimby [IRTA CEO] and Herve Poncharal [IRTA President], their input into the championship and the sport is invaluable and the relationship could not be better."
Poncharal added: "The 2021 MotoGP racing season hasn't started yet, but we have already great news to announce to the world; Dorna, IRTA and the MotoGP class Independent Teams have already decided to extend their partnership for another five years from 2022 to 2026.
"This is the best news we could have.
"The times are not easy at the moment, therefore having security, having visibility and to be able to carry on working with the same partner is always a big bonus.
"To have a promoter like Dorna on our side, managed by Mr. Carmelo Ezpeleta, is like a dream for all of us.
"The relationship since 1992, when we started to work together, has been excellent and has improved every single year.
"Any question or request arising from the teams or the riders is always taken into great consideration from Dorna.
"The safety, the racing, the technical side and the show has always been improving."
In recent weeks, LCR and Gresini have confirmed their commitment to racing in MotoGP beyond 2021, with Ducati, KTM and Honda the first three manufacturers to sign the new five-year deal with Dorna.
With the current agreement between teams and Dorna coming to an end in 2021, changes on the grid are expected, with Avintia set to step back from MotoGP - with it thought VR46 (which will back Luca Marini's 2021 season with Avintia) will take its grid slots.

Miller: Proving MotoGP detractors wrong still "big driving force"
MotoGP champion Marquez's injured arm finally starting to heal

Latest news
Why Ducati holds all the power in its MotoGP rider dilemma
OPINION: The French Grand Prix looks to have made Ducati’s decision on its factory team line-up simpler, as Enea Bastianini stormed to his third win of the campaign and Jorge Martin crashed out for a fifth time in 2022. But, as Ducati suggests to Autosport, it remains in the strongest position in a wild rider market
The seismic aftershock left by Suzuki's decision to leave MotoGP
Suzuki's sudden decision to leave the MotoGP World Championship at the end of the season has acted as a stirring element in a market that had already erupted. Autosport analyses what this means for the grid going into 2023
How the real Ducati began to emerge in MotoGP’s Spanish GP
Ducati’s 2022 MotoGP bike has had a tough start to life and the expected early-season title charge from Francesco Bagnaia did not materialise. But the Spanish Grand Prix signalled a turning point for both the GP22 and Bagnaia, as the 2021 runner-up belatedly got his season underway after a straight fight with Fabio Quartararo
How Honda's praise for its 2022 MotoGP bike has turned into doubt
In a little over two months, Honda has gone from setting the pace in MotoGP testing with its new RC213V prototype to being at a crossroads - caused by the discrepancy in its riders' feedback. After a Portuguese GP that underwhelmed, serious questions are now being asked of Honda in 2022
Why Quartararo's Portugal win wasn't only vital for his MotoGP title hopes
Fabio Quartararo got his MotoGP title defence off the ground in the Portuguese Grand Prix as a dominant first win of 2022 rocketed him to the top of the standings. While a significant result in terms of his title hopes, it has come at an even more important time in terms of his 2023 contract negotiations
How a MotoGP legend is preparing for an unexpected comeback at Goodwood
Wayne Rainey, who’s paralysed from the chest down, will ride his 1992 500cc world championship-winning bike again at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed. The American motorcycle legend explains how he's preparing to thrill on his first visit to the famed hillclimb
The MotoGP rookie fighting two fronts in his debut year
Darryn Binder has found himself in the unenviable position as MotoGP's most under-pressure rookie in 2022 having made the step directly from Moto3 with a reputation as an over-aggressive rider. This hasn't been an easy thing to shake at the start of the season, but he believes tangible progress is being made
How ‘Beast’ mode is putting Ducati in 2022 MotoGP title contention
Enea Bastianini’s second win of the 2022 campaign at COTA puts him back in the lead of the standings and once again showed the best Ducati package is still the 2021 bike. Those closest to Bastianini tell Autosport why he’s so good on the GP21 relative to his factory counterparts