The implications of MotoGP’s new race weekend format
MotoGP is set to shake up its 2027 schedule with additional sessions across the race weekend, a move that has already sparked plenty of debate online. Here’s what’s changing.
The current format
For fans just getting started or who do not closely follow every session over the race weekend, here is a breakdown of the existing MotoGP race weekend schedule:
Weekend action commences with a 45-minute Free Practice session on Friday, or FP1, serving as an introduction to the weekend at the track, regardless of the rider’s experience in the premier class. It also allows teams to gather data, make adjustments and test changes to maximise performance throughout the weekend.
This is followed by a one-hour Practice session, which is particularly important for Saturday’s Qualifying. The 10 riders with the fastest times in this session automatically progress to Q2, while the rest of the grid must compete in Q1 for a chance to join them.
On Saturday, the first session is a 30-minute Free Practice 2, which works similarly to FP1 and gives riders and teams another opportunity to make adjustments and prepare for the rest of the weekend. This is followed by the first Qualifying session, Q1.
Q1 is contested by the riders who did not finish in the top 10 during Friday’s Practice session. They compete for the best possible starting position, while the top two riders from Q1 progress to Q2 for a chance to secure a spot in the top 12.
Both qualifying sessions last 15 minutes each. Once Qualifying is complete, the starting grid is set for both the Sprint later on Saturday and the main race on Sunday.
The new format
As announced by MotoGP, the new format will introduce a separate Sprint Qualifying session on Saturday and remove the current Practice session. The detailed breakdown is as follows:
Friday will start with a 45-minute Free Practice 1 session, followed by a 30-minute Free Practice 2 session. The day will then end with a 15-minute Sprint Qualifying session.
On Saturday, the day will begin with a 20-minute Free Practice 3 session, followed by Qualifying. All 22 riders will take part in Q1, with the top 12 progressing to Q2 to fight for the fastest times. The day will then conclude with the Sprint, with its starting grid determined by Friday’s Sprint Qualifying.
As for Sunday, which has been the focus of much of the discussion, the day will begin with the Moto3 and Moto2 races. The MotoGP warm-up session will then take place immediately before the main MotoGP race, with the pit lane opening for 10 minutes.
For the most part, the new format follows a structure similar to Formula 1, with separate qualifying sessions determining the grids for different races. However, there are understandable safety concerns, given the differences between racing motorcycles and cars.
Downsides to the updated format
In terms of the entertainment factor, adding more sessions serves as a way to keep fans engaged throughout the weekend.
However, with MotoGP’s weekends already proving fast-paced and short in length, making qualifying even shorter could seem unnecessary and may instead put more pressure on the riders and teams.
It could also be argued that removing the Practice session would give fans little reason to tune in on Friday, aside from Sprint Qualifying, lasting only 15 minutes. Under the current format, Practice is also crucial in preparing riders for Saturday.
Keeping the entertainment factor aside, rider safety must always be the utmost priority. There has already been some discussion around smaller concerns, such as riders being reluctant to take part in challenges organised by the host country or circuit.
With several riders often ruled out of races due to on-track incidents, more competitive sessions in a weekend can add to the risk of riders having incidents and greater implications for their seasons.
However, skipping or moving warm-up sessions to make room for additional sessions aimed at increasing entertainment value should not be the solution.
Almost around the same time last season, MotoGP saw an unfortunate crash during a Moto2 session in Sepang, which sparked significant discussion online and within the media about the importance of warm-up laps. They give riders and teams valuable time to identify and fix any issues before more than 20 bikes take to the track at max speeds.
Crashes are an unfortunate part of motorsport, but when safety is already such a major concern, reducing time dedicated to preparation and prevention could feel like a step backwards.
While it might be too early to judge the new format, there have been plenty of cases where change can seem like a bad thing at first before it has a chance to settle in. However, this could be a good opportunity for MotoGP to provide further clarification on the safety measures that will be in place ahead of the 2027 season, when the new format comes into full effect.
Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
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