Tag Archives: Liberty

News

Here’s What We Think About MotoGP’s Merger With F1

Last week, information broke that Formula One proprietor Liberty Media was reportedly deep into acquisition talks to carry MotoGP rights-holder Dorna into the fold. Now, only a few days later, Liberty Media has introduced that it has acquired an 86% stake for $4.5 billion, giving controlling curiosity within the sequence.

According to Liberty Media’s Greg Maffei, the group’s President and CEO, “We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of leading live sports and entertainment assets with the acquisition of MotoGP. MotoGP is a global league with a loyal, enthusiastic fan base, captivating racing and a highly cash flow generative financial profile.”

He added, “Carmelo and his management team have built a great sporting spectacle that we can expand to a wider global audience. The business has significant upside, and we intend to grow the sport for MotoGP fans, teams, commercial partners and our shareholders.”

MotoGP’s present administration will retain 14%. 

Although MotoGP is each the highest degree of worldwide motorbike racing and undoubtedly the shiniest gem in Dorna’s crown, it is also value noting that the deal will see Liberty Media take management of all of these different motorbike racing sequence, too, together with; MotoGP, World Superbike (WSBK), FIM Enel MotoE World Championship, FINetwork FIM JuniorGP, Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup, R&G British Talent Cup, Northern Talent Cup, FIM MiniGP World Series, and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. 

So let’s get into who Liberty Media is and what this may maintain for the way forward for motorbike racing all over the world. 

Who Or What Is Liberty Media?

For these unfamiliar, Liberty Media owns quite a lot of different media, communications, and leisure pursuits moreover Formula One. A fast session of its present asset checklist, which is correct as of January 31, 2024, consists of the next holdings:

Holding How Much Does LM Own?
Formula One 100%
F1 Arcade (full-motion racing simulators) 21 p.c
LV Diamond Property LLC (owns the roughly 40 acres in Las Vegas the place the F1 Las Vegas GP paddock sits) 100%
Meyer Shank Racing (American racing group presently competing within the NTT IndyCar sequence and the WeatherTech SportsAutomotive Championship) 30 p.c
QuintEvents, LLC (sports activities and leisure ticket and hospitality package deal supplier) 100%
Associated Partners, L.P. (investments) 33 p.c
Drone Racing League, Inc 3 p.c
Green Energy Investments numerous
Griffin Gaming Fund (gaming-focused VC fund) 3 p.c
Inrix, Inc (transportation analytics software program agency) 4 p.c
Kroenke Arena Company, LLC (owns Denver, Colorado’s Ball Arena and likewise “includes a 7 percent profits interest based on the value of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche professional sports teams.”) 7 p.c
Liberty Technology Venture Capital, LLC (funding fund centered on Israeli know-how firms) 80 p.c
Live Nation Entertainment Inc. (self-reported because the “largest live entertainment company in the world, consisting of three segments: concerts, sponsorship, and advertising and ticketing.”) 30 p.c
Overtime Sports, Inc (sports activities media firm) 5 p.c
Tastemade, Inc (meals, journey, and way of life digital media firm) 6 p.c
SiriusXM Holdings Inc (satellite tv for pc radio firm offering subscription providers) 83 p.c

Liberty Global is presently chaired by billionaire John Malone, who as not too long ago as November 2023 spoke to the Hollywood Reporter in regards to the rising risk of huge tech firms accruing media pursuits (assume Amazon buying the rights to Thursday Night Football, for instance). 

Malone went on to opine that Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav was doing “a great job”, and THR famous at the moment that Malone can also be a shareholder in Warner Bros. Discovery.

As you could recall, Warner Bros. Discovery merged with HBO Max again in 2022, ultimately occurring to type the Max streaming service which additionally recently obtained exclusive live streaming rights for the MotoGP world championship in the US in 2024. It’s how I watch MotoGP, and it is how numerous different US-based followers will probably be having fun with the present season, as properly.

What About The European Commission’s Strong Antitrust Tendencies?

Both F1 and MotoGP have been right here earlier than. Back in 2006, personal fairness agency CVC Capital Partners briefly owned each top-level motorsport sequence. However, EU competitors regulators at the moment took a dim view of the matter and compelled the agency to promote MotoGP. Later, CVC could be the agency to promote F1 on to Liberty Media within the first place in 2017, in a deal value $8 billion on the time (which might be over $10 billion in 2024 cash).

That was 2006, although. This is 2024, and it is not clear how the scenario, regulators, or different environmental elements may need modified between then and now. Although it is not sports-related, we will say that it is clear EU regulators aren’t afraid to go after mega firms that it believes do not adjust to its present antitrust guidelines.

For additional proof, simply take a look at the continuing European Commission investigations into Apple, Meta, and Google.

Taking All Currently Known Factors Into Consideration, What Does RideApart Think?

Get a bunch of like-minded followers collectively in a single place, regardless of the circumstance, and they are going to have ideas starting from issues like “imagine a world where MotoGP is a support series for F1; doubleheaders, even” (Jonathon Klein) to “no one would be able to afford tickets” (Janaki Jitchotvisut) and “I think the fans would hate it” (Robbie Bacon). 

Executive Editor Jonathon Klein additionally had these ideas, “I’m conflicted. I’m a big Formula 1 fan and the way that Liberty Media, in conjunction with Netflix, has reinvigorated the sport has been nothing short of wild to witness. If the company can do that with MotoGP, I’m here for it. But at the same time, I’ve essentially been priced out of seeing most races as Liberty Media has imposed higher and higher ticket prices.”

He added, “I’m also concerned that the level of grift and corruption we’ve seen in recent years within Formula 1 in relation to championship winners and losers, where the sport goes to race, among other aspects within the paddock could spread to MotoGP. The influx of cash to a sport can go either way, but the current leadership of Liberty Media doesn’t seem to care, rather embraces, the grift that was always present in F1. I’d hate to see that come to MotoGP in the same way it came to F1. But I’d like to be optimistic and see greater things for a sport I love and more people to enjoy it.”

Now that the deal is completed, how do you count on it to have an effect on you as a racing fan of any of the sequence concerned? Let us know within the feedback!

Motorsport

This Adorable Mini Ferrari F40 Is A Mazda Underneath

Last 12 months, the Japanese tuner Liberty Walk confirmed off a widebody kit for the Ferrari F40 on the Tokyo Auto Salon. This 12 months, the corporate launched a pint-sized model of the enduring Italian supercar by making use of the look to a Mazda Autozam AZ-1. The result’s completely lovable.

The pictures under present Liberty Walk’s F40-inspired physique package and a inventory AZ-1 side-by-side, so you may see how in depth the modifications are.

Mazda Autozam AZ-1 Ferrari F40 Kit By Liberty Walk
Autozam AZ-1

The package overhauls the AZ-1’s nostril with a entrance fascia and hood that appears loads just like the F40. There are additionally canards on the corners and an prolonged splitter. Liberty Walk’s web page for the improve notes that the twin spherical headlights aren’t a part of the bundle. 

Widened fenders at each ends broaden the AZ-1’s stance, and beefy facet sills run between them. Liberty Walk additionally has new door panels with the embossed form of a NACA duct to emulate the F40’s look. 

Mazda Autozam AZ-1 Ferrari F40 Kit By Liberty Walk

The rear will get a tall, fastened wing with huge endplates. According to the corporate, the revised bumper consists of the reflectors however not the taillights. A diffuser with lengthy strakes can also be again there. Liberty Walk doesn’t point out the exhaust, however the pictures present a center-mounted three-pipe setup like on the F40.

There aren’t any particulars about inside modifications, however the sport seats seen within the pictures aren’t inventory. If you occur to personal an AZ-1 and need to make it appear to be an iconic Ferrari, Liberty Walk prices $22,600 for the physique package. Plus, a buyer wants to rearrange the portray and set up of the items. 

Mazda Autozam AZ-1 Ferrari F40 Kit By Liberty Walk
Ferrari F40 Liberty Walk Renderings (White)

Liberty Walk additionally matches a set of six-spoke solid wheels with a black end. They measure 16 inches in diameter on the entrance and 17 inches on the rear. The firm prices $14,300 for them.

The AZ-1 was one of the crucial thrilling vehicles in Japan’s kei class. Even in inventory type, it appears like a mini supercar. The gullwing doorways add to the sporty aesthetic. A mid-mounted turbocharged 657cc three-cylinder engine makes 63 horsepower, and a five-speed guide sends the ability to the rear wheels.

Motorsport

Liberty Walk’s Lamborghini Countach Will Make Every Supercar Purist Angry

Last yr Japanese tuner Liberty Walk constructed a extremely customized widebody Ferrari F40, setting the web ablaze with blended opinions on whether or not it was proper to chop up such a fascinating piece of equipment. Now, the corporate is doing it once more on the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon with one other ’80s icon: The Lamborghini Countach.

Only a teaser video is obtainable now, but it surely exhibits off the widebody Countach’s exterior, one part at a time. Like the F40 final yr, Liberty Walk offers the automotive a daring white exterior, highlighting how the brand new elements radically alter the Lamborghini’s look.

The up to date entrance finish provides a distinguished entrance splitter and a decrease fascia with an oblong mesh protecting three openings, giving the nostril a boxy look. Canards on both nook combine into the widened fender flare. The result’s a steady line from the nostril to the wheel nicely, making a curvy component alongside this part.

The sides function broader decrease sills working between the widened fenders. Liberty Walk additionally provides a gap forward of the rear wheels. The body-color vertical strakes within the vents on the higher portion of the tail recommend this mannequin is a modified twenty fifth Anniversary Countach. The basic supercar rides on dark-colored, deep-dish Rohana Forged wheels with Y-shaped spokes and Toyo tires.

The Countach’s manufacturing unit wing wasn’t sufficiently big for Liberty Walk. The tuner has changed it with a fair bigger merchandise that attaches beneath the rear bumper. The tail additionally will get flush-mounted taillights reasonably than the inset lamps on the manufacturing model. A large diffuser beneath the quad exhaust provides to the motorsport-inspired aesthetic.

Liberty Walk’s F40 already brought on controversy amongst Motor1‘s readers final yr. Just from seeing this teaser video, we count on the corporate’s tackle the Countach to be simply as polarizing.

Motorsport

Make Your 500 Abarth Way Cooler With This $15,000 Body Kit

The Japanese tuner Liberty Walk focuses on widebody kits, and its newest providing is one thing particular for an surprising automobile. A brand new physique equipment for the Fiat Abarth 595 make it look straight out of a Need for Speed online game.

 

The equipment offers the five hundred Abarth a completely new look. Up entrance, a brand new entrance bumper is wider than inventory. It features a splitter on the backside, canards on the corners, and bigger inlets. The items intensify the brand new, extra muscular fenders and provides the nostril a motorsport-inspired look.

The new hood makes the Liberty Walk equipment seem subtly much like the 500e’s headlights by partially overlaying their higher edge (see under). The result’s a face that appears just like the little automobile is grimacing at you.

Liberty Walk Abarth 595 Kit
2024 Fiat 500e North American Launch Gallery

The broader fenders are essentially the most eye-catching a part of this equipment. They give the recent hatch a muscular stance that the common 595 lacks. In addition, there are broader aspect skirts that intensify the brawnier look. 

The again includes a two-plane rear wing on the roof’s tip. There’s no point out of whether or not the piece has a useful design to create downforce, nevertheless it definitely seems the half.

The story is analogous for the diffuser. We cannot touch upon how properly it really works, however the piece’s design matches the up to date automobile’s extra aggressive look.

The full Liberty Walk equipment comes with six items and prices $15,070 in fiber-reinforced polymer or $17,050 in carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. If you do not need the entire equipment, three items can be found individually:

Part Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Price Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Price
Hood $2,970  N/A
Rear Wing $1,980  $3,080
Rear Diffuser $1,870  $2,970 

The gas-powered Fiat 500, together with the Abarth variant, is not obtainable within the United States, having left the corporate’s lineup in 2019. Elsewhere, the 595 makes use of a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder making 165 horsepower. It can reach 62 miles per hour in 7.3 seconds with a five-speed guide or 7.4 seconds with the five-speed computerized. If you desire a new 500 Stateside, you may have to attend for the all-electric 500e to get right here. There’s no phrase if Liberty Walk will make its equipment obtainable for that automobile, nevertheless. 

Motorsport

The Nissan Z Gets a More Aggressive Look With a Widebody Kit

Liberty Walk, a Japanese body kit maker known for its flamboyant style, has applied its expertise to the latest Nissan Z. The result is a visually striking and eye-catching appearance.

The Liberty Walk body kit consists of six pieces. At the front, there’s a new bumper and fascia that give the tuned car a sharper and more pointed nose. The open portion of the bumper now extends across the vehicle’s entire width, adding to its aggressive look. The hood has also been redesigned with vented portions near the A-pillars, further enhancing the car’s aesthetics compared to the standard Z model.

One of Liberty Walk’s signature features is widened fenders, and they are present on this Z as well. The fenders have exposed fasteners where they attach to the vehicle, and the ones at the rear taper inward along the back edge, allowing a glimpse of the tires.

At the rear, the body kit includes a three-piece spoiler that adds a more aggressive touch to the tail of the Nissan Z. The revised bumper features a simulated diffuser between the exhaust outlets, completing the sporty look.

In addition to the body kit, Liberty Walk has added some extra aesthetic upgrades to this Z. The car sits on eight-spoke wheels with a gunmetal finish, reminiscent of the classic Minilite design. The exhaust pipes are wider in diameter and have a blue hue at the tips. Inside, the car is fitted with Bride sport seats.