Liberty Media Appoints Carlos Ezpeleta as Deputy CEO of MotoGP — Father Carmelo Remains CEO at the Helm of the Racing Series
Liberty Media, the owner of the commercial rights to the MotoGP World Championship, announced on Tuesday that Carlos Ezpeleta has been named Deputy CEO and simultaneously confirmed his father, Carmelo, as CEO.
This move is seen as a sign that the U.S. company is further strengthening its confidence in the Ezpeleta family as leaders within the structure of the MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (MotoGP SEG), formerly Dorna.
The announcement also confirms that Carmelo Ezpeleta will remain in his position as CEO, while being supported by his son Carlos, who has been promoted from his previous role as sporting director.
“The MotoGP Group today announced the appointment of Carlos Ezpeleta as Deputy CEO. This recognizes his significant contribution to the development of the sport and strengthens the leadership team for the next phase of growth,” according to a statement from Liberty Media.
“Carlos has played a key role in MotoGP for more than a decade. He has helped expand the sport’s international presence, strengthen strategic partnerships, improve the commercial offering, and grow the global fan base.”
Carlos Ezpeleta started in 2007 as an intern, assisting race control in reviewing TV footage of incidents. While a student, he worked in technical scrutineering before joining Dorna full-time in 2013.
He initially worked as a medical team coordinator and as a safety car driver. Carlos Ezpeleta has headed the sports department since 2017. In 2020, he was also appointed managing director of the company.
In 2021, he became sports director. He is directly responsible for the sporting and technical aspects of the championships. Now, the 35-year-old has been promoted to deputy CEO.
Derek Chang, CEO of Liberty Media, says: “MotoGP has built a strong global foundation, and we see a great opportunity to take the sport to the next level.”
“Carlos brings the experience, vision, and deep understanding of MotoGP necessary for this transformation. We look forward to supporting him in this new role.”
Since the entertainment giant—which also owns Formula 1—took control of MotoGP, global expansion and deeper penetration of key markets such as the U.S. have been among its top priorities.
Against this backdrop, MotoGP SEG is undergoing a restructuring that primarily affects the promotion and marketing divisions, with the goal of increasing its presence and expanding its audience.
Carmelo Ezpeleta says of his son: “Carlos has played a central role in the growth of MotoGP for many years. His experience spans all areas of our business. His leadership skills, vision, and passion for the sport make him the ideal person to lead MotoGP into its next chapter.”
