MotoGP has recently announced the introduction of a new weekend format that will come into effect in 2027. This restructuring includes a dedicated qualifying session for the sprint races, a decision that was approved by the teams during a vote held at the Red Bull Ring, the place where the plans for this change originated a few years ago.
With this new format, the dynamics of the weekend will undergo a significant change, although it is expected to be less disruptive than the modifications introduced in 2023. Currently, only one qualifying session is held on Saturday, which determines the grids for both the sprint race and the main race. Starting next season, a 15-minute session on Friday will be dedicated to determining the grid for the sprint race, while the grid for the main race will be defined with a 20-minute qualifying session on Saturday.
The change will involve the elimination of the Friday practice session, which was previously used to establish which riders moved directly to Q2. Thus, on Friday, riders will enjoy a 45-minute practice session, followed by another 30-minute session and the new qualifying session for the sprints.
On Saturday, a third practice session (FP3) lasting 20 minutes will need to be completed before qualifying begins. This restructuring also implies the removal of the Sunday morning warm-up, allowing riders to participate in promotional activities before the main race in the afternoon. Additionally, during this time, the pitlane will open for 10 minutes to allow riders to complete several laps of the circuit.
New MotoGP Format for 2027
Friday
– FP1 – 45 minutes
– FP2 – 30 minutes
– SQ – 15 minutes
Saturday
– FP3 – 20 minutes
– Q1 (15 minutes) + Q2 (15 minutes)
– Sprint race (grid from SQ)
Sunday
– No warm-up (grid from Q)
– Race
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
