Discussions about forming a MotoGP riders’ union have been revived following a secret meeting held on Thursday during the Australian Grand Prix. Several riders admitted on Friday that the precarious situation surrounding the Qatar Grand Prix had prompted them to consider better representation. The meeting included a vote on whether the riders wished to compete at Lusail in the coming weeks, amid growing concerns over a possible escalation of conflicts in the region. It is understood that two-thirds of the grid voted against racing.

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Sources indicate that this decision could lead to further action, including the possibility of riders seeking joint legal representation to challenge any decision by their teams and, ultimately, the championship that would force them to participate. Although there is still no resolution to the current situation, the issue has highlighted the lack of influence many riders feel they have within the wider sport. “We talked,” explained Tech3 KTM rider Enea Bastianini, “and it’s important that everyone talks together. For our future, that is essential. We started this [union] project two years ago, but we didn’t finish it, and I think it’s important to have a little power. The teams have power, Dorna [MotoGP’s promoter] has power — but we have nothing.”

These comments about the riders’ lack of power come just days after Carlos Ezpeleta, MotoGP’s deputy CEO, told the press that he does not consider it the championship’s role to gather riders’ opinions on the series’ strategy, but rather the teams’ responsibility. “We don’t have contracts with the riders,” Ezpeleta said when asked about the lack of consultation with riders over the introduction of a more intense qualifying format. “We have contracts with the teams. They are part of the championship’s governance, and we are in no way saying that riders should not be involved.”

The idea of a riders’ union is not new and has been suggested several times in the past, particularly in 2023, following the introduction of sprint races at every round of the championship, also without directly consulting the riders, which was linked to an increase in injuries. One significant change in this approach is the proposed union’s composition. Unlike the previous idea of having the association led by a former rider such as Sylvain Guintoli, a different direction now appears to be under consideration. “I think a riders’ association is super important and useful,” said two-time MotoGP champion Pecco Bagnaia. “And this is the right time to do it.”

Bagnaia continued, explaining that someone needs to be appointed who can fight for the riders’ interests. “It can’t be [someone who is currently racing]. Even better if it’s someone from outside, someone who has no preferences, just working in one direction — for safety and for us. For me, it doesn’t have to be a rider, it doesn’t have to be someone from the paddock. It could be a lawyer.”