Italian manager Carlo Pernat has criticised MotoGP’s direction after the chaos of the Australian Grand Prix, condemning Liberty Media’s commercial strategy, the removal of iconic circuits and an overloaded calendar. Speaking on his Fast by Prosecco analysis segment aired on GPone, Pernat warned of the physical toll of an unprecedented number of rounds.

Phillip Island exit

Phillip Island’s exclusion from the MotoGP calendar ignited Pernat’s ire, and he described it as an “absolute disgrace” to the spectacle. “We are talking about one of the most beautiful circuits in the world, especially for the riders,” Pernat lamented, emphasizing the loss of pure motorcycle racing essence.

He directly criticized the shift toward urban circuits driven solely by commercial and geographic convenience: “Phillip Island is two hours from Melbourne, yet Liberty Media now favors city tracks like Adelaide. This signals the end for historic venues with limited attendance but immense heritage.”

A calendar “hurtling headlong into a wall”

Pernat’s concerns extend beyond venue choices to the relentless expansion of the season. Highlighting the introduction of the Sprint format, he warned, “MotoGP is hurtling headlong into a wall. Forty-four races combining Grands Prix and sprints are a death sentence for the sport.”

He underscored the consequences at Phillip Island, where five top riders were sidelined for Sunday’s race due to injuries sustained in the weekend’s crashes. “It’s madness. Fans who attend the races are missing the sport’s best talents,” Pernat asserted bluntly.

Martín, Márquez and the title fight

Turning to the competition on track, Pernat praised Jorge Martín’s fearless performance in the Sprint race against Marc Márquez, despite Martín’s fractured wrist. “Martín showed he had more to give on Saturday; he knew he could exploit Ducati’s weaknesses and went for it. That’s just who he is,” the Italian said.

However, Pernat sounded a grave warning regarding Martín’s health and contractual future with Yamaha, stating, “Racing on a broken wrist is an enormous risk. The decision to compete must be strictly medical to avoid catastrophe.”

Concluding with a prediction on the championship battle, Pernat placed his money on Márquez. “If I were to bet, it would undoubtedly be on Márquez,” he declared, reinforcing the Spaniard’s standing amid the turbulent season.

Pernat’s comments echo a growing unease within the MotoGP paddock about the sport’s commercial direction, safety and sustainability as it grapples with balancing tradition and modern spectacle. His call for prudence over Jorge Martín’s injury and his critique of the overloaded calendar are reminders of the human cost behind the glitz of global motorcycle racing.