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MotoGP will introduce a significantly revised race-weekend format in 2027<\/strong>, separating qualifying for Saturday’s sprint from qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The changes were officially announced on October 7 and will take effect alongside the championship’s new 850cc technical regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the current system, Saturday’s qualifying session determines the starting grid for both races. From 2027, riders will have two opportunities to secure their starting positions, with different grids for the sprint and the main race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The revised schedule also removes Friday’s Practice session as a qualifying filter and eliminates the traditional Sunday morning warm-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest change is the introduction of a 15-minute sprint qualifying session on Friday afternoon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All MotoGP riders will participate in the session, with their fastest lap determining their position on the starting grid for Saturday’s sprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The result will not determine their starting position for Sunday’s grand prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Friday will begin with the familiar 45-minute Free Practice 1, followed by a new 30-minute Free Practice 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second practice session replaces the current timed Practice, which determines direct access to Q2 under the 2026 regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From 2027, Friday’s practice results will no longer determine which riders qualify directly for Saturday’s Q2.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Saturday will begin with a 20-minute Free Practice 3 before the qualifying sessions for Sunday’s grand prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike the current format, every rider will participate in Q1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The session will last 15 minutes, with the 12 fastest riders advancing to Q2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those 12 competitors will then fight for pole position and the first four rows of the grand prix grid during another 15-minute session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Riders eliminated in Q1 will occupy the remaining positions based on their qualifying times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sprint will still take place on Saturday afternoon, but its grid will have been established during Friday’s separate qualifying session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The new format will apply across the championship, rather than only at selected sprint weekends as in Formula 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MotoGP will also eliminate the traditional Sunday morning warm-up session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Previously, riders had a short opportunity to check their motorcycles, assess conditions and identify technical issues before the main race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the revised format, that track time will be replaced by a ten-minute pit-lane opening before the grand prix<\/strong>, allowing riders to complete multiple sighting laps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The change will also create more time for promotional activities and the support-category programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, removing the warm-up has generated concern among some riders, particularly because it reduces the opportunity to test changes made after Saturday’s sprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The revised format has already attracted criticism from leading MotoGP riders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marc M\u00e1rquez warned that additional qualifying sessions could increase the mental demands and risks associated with a championship that already features sprint races at every round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ducati rider also questioned how much information competitors received before the changes were announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n M\u00e1rquez’s concerns are particularly relevant because qualifying sessions require riders to operate close to the performance limits of their motorcycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The introduction of a separate Friday session means another competitive session in which grid positions are determined by outright lap time.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow will MotoGP sprint qualifying work in 2027?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How will grand prix qualifying change?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
MotoGP 2027 weekend schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Day<\/th> Session<\/th> Duration<\/th><\/tr> Friday<\/td> Free Practice 1<\/td> 45 minutes<\/td><\/tr> Friday<\/td> Free Practice 2<\/td> 30 minutes<\/td><\/tr> Friday<\/td> sprint qualifying<\/td> 15 minutes<\/td><\/tr> Saturday<\/td> Free Practice 3<\/td> 20 minutes<\/td><\/tr> Saturday<\/td> Grand Prix Q1<\/td> 15 minutes<\/td><\/tr> Saturday<\/td> Grand Prix Q2<\/td> 15 minutes<\/td><\/tr> Saturday<\/td> sprint race<\/td> Race distance varies<\/td><\/tr> Sunday<\/td> Grand Prix<\/td> Full race distance<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Why is MotoGP removing Sunday’s warm-up?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
M\u00e1rquez questions increased pressure on riders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n