Sprint bonus? ‘More MotoGP races, more fun – so same money!’ | MotoGP [Video]

Speaking at the VR46 launch, Luca Marini felt grand prix riders and team members in all classes “don’t earn enough” generally and that some Moto2 and Moto3 teams could finish the season with damaged bikes due to a lack of budget.

“But the only way to have this [extra] support is to try to promote a better show, for the TV, for the fans,” Marini said. “This is the only way to have more money.”

The specific topic of whether bonus money should be paid for the 21 new Saturday races has arisen since most rider contracts were signed before the half-distance Sprints, which will not count as grands prix but will award world championship points, were announced.

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Marini acknowledged the fun factor of having more races, saying “we want to race. It’s incredible.” But …