News Summary
- MotoGP awards 12 points to the sprint winner, with the first nine riders scoring championship points.
- A rider can earn 37 points per weekend by winning Saturday’s sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix.
- Jorge Martín leads Marc Márquez by only two points before the Indonesian GP, meaning the championship lead could change on Saturday.
MotoGP riders can score a maximum of 37 championship points during a Grand Prix weekend, with 12 available in Saturday’s sprint and another 25 in Sunday’s main race. Unlike Formula 1, MotoGP holds a sprint at every Grand Prix, making the shorter race an important part of the championship.
The scoring system is particularly relevant ahead of the Indonesian GP at Mandalika. Jorge Martín arrives with 333 points, just two ahead of Marc Márquez on 331, after the Ducati rider won both races at Motegi.
That means Márquez can take the championship lead before Sunday’s Grand Prix even begins. If he wins the sprint and Martín finishes second, the three-point difference would put Márquez one point ahead.
How many points does a MotoGP sprint award?
MotoGP introduced the sprint format in 2023, awarding points to the first nine finishers. The winner receives 12, while second place earns nine and third receives seven.
| Position | Sprint points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 12 |
| 2nd | 9 |
| 3rd | 7 |
| 4th | 6 |
| 5th | 5 |
| 6th | 4 |
| 7th | 3 |
| 8th | 2 |
| 9th | 1 |
| 10th or lower | 0 |
A total of 49 championship points is distributed across the nine scoring positions when full points are awarded.
Sprint races cover approximately half the distance of Sunday’s Grand Prix and normally last around 20 minutes. There is no mandatory pit stop, and the result does not determine the starting grid for the main race.
How are points awarded in Sunday’s MotoGP race?
The Grand Prix awards points to the top 15 finishers, with 25 for victory, 20 for second and 16 for third.
| Position | Grand Prix points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 25 |
| 2nd | 20 |
| 3rd | 16 |
| 4th | 13 |
| 5th | 11 |
| 6th | 10 |
| 7th | 9 |
| 8th | 8 |
| 9th | 7 |
| 10th | 6 |
| 11th | 5 |
| 12th | 4 |
| 13th | 3 |
| 14th | 2 |
| 15th | 1 |
| 16th or lower | 0 |
The sprint and Grand Prix points are added to the same championship standings. There are no bonus points for pole position or fastest lap.
How can a MotoGP rider score 37 points in one weekend?
A rider must win both races to collect the maximum available points.
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Sprint victory | 12 |
| Grand Prix victory | 25 |
| Maximum weekend total | 37 |
With six rounds remaining after Japan, 222 points are still theoretically available in the 2026 championship.
That is particularly significant because Martín and Márquez are separated by only two points, leaving little margin for a retirement or a poor result.
How Márquez can take the championship lead at Mandalika
Márquez does not need to wait until Sunday to move ahead of Martín.
The three-point difference between first and second in Saturday’s sprint is already greater than the championship gap. Several possible results illustrate how quickly the standings could change.
| Mandalika sprint result | Martín points | Márquez points | Championship leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Márquez P1, Martín P2 | 342 | 343 | Márquez +1 |
| Márquez P2, Martín P1 | 345 | 340 | Martín +5 |
| Márquez P1, Martín P3 | 340 | 343 | Márquez +3 |
| Márquez P1, Martín scores 0 | 333 | 343 | Márquez +10 |
The Indonesian circuit also adds another variable. Márquez has never finished a Sunday MotoGP race at Mandalika, while Martín won there in 2024.
Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi has acknowledged that losing 10-12 points to Martín could be considered acceptable because the circuit may favour Aprilia.
How does MotoGP sprint qualifying work?
In 2026, the same qualifying results determine the starting grids for both the sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix.
The fastest 10 riders in Friday afternoon’s Practice advance directly to Q2. The remaining riders contest Q1 on Saturday morning, with the two fastest joining Q2 to decide the first 12 grid positions.
The sprint then takes place on Saturday afternoon, followed by the full Grand Prix on Sunday.
MotoGP has announced a change for 2027: sprint races will receive their own dedicated qualifying sessions, creating separate starting grids for the shorter races and the Grands Prix.
The points structure remains the key distinction between the two races: 12 points for a sprint victory and 25 for a Grand Prix win.
When is the Indonesian MotoGP sprint?
The Indonesian GP sprint takes place on Saturday, October 10, at 15:00 local time in Mandalika. That corresponds to 08:00 BST in the UK, 03:00 ET in the United States and Canada and 12:30 IST in India.
Sunday’s Grand Prix starts at the same local time.
The complete Indonesian MotoGP schedule, including qualifying and broadcast information is available in GRANDE PRÊMIO‘s weekend guide.
GRANDE PRÊMIO provides full coverage of the MotoGP championship.
MotoGP today: FAQ
Who was fastest in Indonesian MotoGP Practice at Mandalika?
Raúl Fernández topped Friday’s Practice with a new Mandalika lap record of 1:28.725, leading an Aprilia 1-2-3 ahead of Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín. Marc Márquez finished fifth, 0.220s behind championship rival Martín. All four qualified directly for Q2.
Can Marc Márquez take the MotoGP championship lead in Saturday’s sprint?
Yes. Márquez trails Jorge Martín by just two points, 331 to 333. The Ducati rider can move ahead by scoring at least three more points than Martín during Saturday’s sprint. A Márquez victory would guarantee the championship lead regardless of Martín’s result.
What time is Indonesian MotoGP qualifying and the sprint on Saturday?
Qualifying begins at 10:50 local time on Saturday, October 10, equivalent to 03:50 BST in the UK and 22:50 EDT on Friday in the United States and Canada. The sprint starts at 15:00 local time, equivalent to 08:00 BST and 03:00 EDT on Saturday.
How many points does a MotoGP sprint winner get?
The winner receives 12 points, followed by nine for second and seven for third. Points are awarded to the first nine finishers.
