Liberty Media‘s acquisition of MotoGP for roughly $4.9 billion earlier this year has done little to mask growing concerns within the series. The 2025 season is marked by Marc Márquez‘s overwhelming performance, leaving few viable rivals and contributing to a lack of excitement among fans. Currently, Márquez leads the championship with 381 points, establishing a significant 120-point margin over his brother Alex Márquez. Ducati Lenovo Team teammate Francesco Bagnaia is distant third, trailing by 168 points, underscoring the wide performance gap within the top ranks.
Decline in Attendance at the Red Bull Ring Compared to Formula 1
The Red Bull Ring in Austria, a MotoGP staple since 2016, has seen a notable reduction in spectator turnout recently. While the venue continues to draw crowds, attendance for MotoGP events no longer approaches the levels seen at Formula 1 races held at the same location. In 2023, MotoGP attracted 173,013 fans over the weekend, including 93,519 on race day, significantly lower than F1‘s 304,000 attendees that same year and its projected 300,000 in 2025.
Several factors contribute to this disparity, with one major issue being the scheduling of the MotoGP race in August, coinciding with Europe‘s peak holiday season. To address this, the Austrian Grand Prix will shift to September beginning in 2026, potentially boosting future attendance numbers. Nevertheless, a recent report indicates that this year alone may see approximately 10,000 fewer tickets sold than last year, raising concerns about the event’s popularity.
Broadcast and Viewing Options for the Austrian MotoGP Race
Following the summer break, the 2025 MotoGP season resumes with Round 13 at the Red Bull Ring on August 17. Fans in Austria can watch live coverage on ServusTV, which offers both English and German streams. Additionally, practice sessions, qualifying rounds, the sprint, and the main race will be available through FanCode in India. In the United States, MotoGP recently unveiled a 24/7 free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel that broadcasts live practice and qualifying for all 22 race weekends across MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3, and MotoE classes.
Riders to Watch and Key Updates for the Austrian Grand Prix
Despite his overall success this season, Marc Márquez has not yet won at the Austrian Grand Prix in his seven appearances there, with his last podium finish on this track coming in 2019. Márquez expressed his eagerness to return after the break, stating,
“I can’t wait to get back on the track after the holidays: I’ve taken a break and rested. I’m ready to tackle this second part of the season in the best possible way,”
(—Marc Márquez, via GP One).
Francesco Bagnaia, on the other hand, has found consistent success at the Red Bull Ring, having won the last three races there, positioning him as Márquez’s main challenger this weekend. LCR Honda faces setbacks as Somkiat Chantra will miss both the Austrian and the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix due to a knee injury. Without a replacement rider for Austria, Johann Zarco remains the sole representative for the team at this event.
Implications and Future Prospects for the MotoGP Series
The current challenges faced by MotoGP — including Márquez’s dominance reducing on-track competition and declining attendance at major venues like the Red Bull Ring — pose significant questions about the sport’s growth trajectory. The shift of the Austrian race to September starting in 2026 and expanded broadcast coverage aim to counteract these issues. However, to maintain fan interest and commercial viability, the series will need to foster closer racing battles and explore additional strategies to enhance attendance and viewership across its global venues.
