MOTOGP DEFENDS 2027 FORMAT AND ADMITS RIDERS DID NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND THE CHANGES

MotoGP says it encouraged teams to consult their riders about changes to the 2027 race weekend and remains open to feedback on sporting regulations. The proposed format has drawn a mixed response from the grid. Among the announced changes are a second qualifying session for sprint races and the removal of Sunday morning warm-up. The championship’s response follows criticism that riders had not been sufficiently involved in shaping the new format.

Deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta said the revised schedule was proposed by teams and manufacturers, who were already seeking to reduce track time under the 2027 regulations. The aim, he said, was to improve the weekend for fans and media while maintaining, rather than increasing, the current level of risk.

Riders including Pedro Acosta and reigning champion Marc Marquez have warned that extra qualifying could raise injury risks and shorten careers. Ezpeleta argued that limits on new tyres should prevent more high-risk time attacks: he said Michelin had reported that 80% of riders currently make two Friday afternoon attacks, while the 2027 rules will sharply restrict tyre use in qualifying. With only one new set available for each session, he expects riders to leave a greater safety margin because a mistake could leave them starting from the back.

Ezpeleta acknowledged that the tyre restrictions had not been explained clearly enough. “You see some of the riders yesterday in the comms probably not fully understanding the limitation on the tyres and the limitation on the time attacks,” he said, adding that MotoGP needed to improve its communication. He maintained that the changes would not jeopardise safety, noting that riders already share the track in the final minutes of Friday sessions.

The new format will also separate the Sprint and Grand Prix grids, ending the system in which Friday’s fastest ten advance directly to Q2 for the main race. Ezpeleta said teams wanted to ease the pressure of Friday afternoon, when missing Q2 can make riders feel their weekend is “done,” and give them two separate opportunities.

Sunday’s ten-minute warm-up will be replaced by a ten-minute pre-race pit-lane window for sighting laps. Ezpeleta said teams proposed the change because they believe the longer pit-lane opening can serve the warm-up’s original purpose of checking for problems after Saturday. He also said some riders had privately asked him to remove warm-up, despite public opposition from others. Alex Rins was among the few to welcome its removal, though he is not expected to be in MotoGP in 2027.

Ezpeleta said MotoGP asked teams to speak with riders before approving the changes, but admitted consultation varied between teams. Only four riders reportedly attended the Motegi Safety Commission meeting where the format was discussed. “We probably do have to do a better job on the comms side and getting the teams, us, and everyone together on a better understanding,” he said. He added that teams are responsible for bringing riders into the process, while stressing that MotoGP’s door remains open and that the championship is willing to keep improving the schedule.