MotoGP to Give Sprint Races Their Own Qualifying Session From 2027

MotoGP is reshaping its race weekend from 2027, announcing on Wednesday that its Saturday sprint races will get their own qualifying session and their own starting grid.

Under the new format, the second practice session will be shortened to 30 minutes to make room for a new 15-minute sprint qualifying session every Friday, which will set the starting order for the shorter Saturday contest. Currently, the sprints — which pay 12 championship points to the winner — use the same grid positions as Sunday's Grand Prix.

"The new format balances an incredible spectacle for fans and new stakes in each session," MotoGP said in a statement.

The change also sees the traditional Sunday warm-up scrapped to free up more time for promotional activities, with riders limited to brief reconnaissance laps as the grid fills.

Not everyone is convinced. Racer-turned-journalist Mat Oxley flagged an immediate safety concern, noting that qualifying was split into two sessions back in 2013 precisely because having so many 220mph bikes on time attacks at once was deemed dangerous — and the new format puts 22 riders back on track together in qualifying.

The reform lands as MotoGP prepares for its new 850cc era, with Pirelli replacing Michelin and ride-height devices banned.