MOTOGP TO INTRODUCE TWO QUALIFYING SESSIONS PER WEEKEND IN F1-STYLE FORMAT

MotoGP is considering a major format change for future weekends: two separate qualifying sessions, one to set the grid for the main race and another for the sprint. Motorsport.com and Autosport report that the idea follows the structure used in Formula 1, and the proposal has already been raised at a dialogue forum that brings together the teams, the championship organisation and the manufacturers, with the expectation that it will receive approval in the near term.

Crash.net adds further detail on how the concept would work. MotoGP adopted sprint races in 2023, but it has differed from F1 by running sprints at every race on the calendar rather than only selected events. Under the current MotoGP weekend format, qualifying decides the grid for both races on a grand prix weekend: Saturday’s session includes Q1 and Q2, with the top 12 set for the grid, and the sprint is then run over half the distance of the main race.

The new proposal would change that link. Instead of one qualifying session determining positions for both the sprint and the grand prix, the sprint grid would be decided by a separate qualifying session from the one that sets the order for the grand prix. Crash.net reports that the plan has been tabled by MotoGP to manufacturers and teams, and it suggests the change could be introduced from 2027.

While the direction is clear—independent qualifying for sprint and race—Crash.net also notes that the exact implementation details are still to be seen. It points out that riders already feel their weekends are too demanding, given the combination of track sessions, sponsor activations and media duties.

Importantly, the report underlines that any change to the regulations would still need official ratification through the Grand Prix Commission, meaning it is not guaranteed to take effect. Crash.net also recalls that earlier in the year MotoGP had looked set to adopt a one-bike rule from next season, only for that proposal to collapse.

Finally, the level of rider consultation remains unclear. Crash.net notes that in 2022, at the Austrian Grand Prix, riders learned via the media that MotoGP had approved the introduction of sprints—an example that highlights how quickly decisions can be communicated once they are already in motion.