Revamped weekend schedule

MotoGP announced on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, that sprint races will operate with their own standalone qualifying session starting from the 2027 season. Under the revised timetable, each race weekend features separate qualifying sessions for the sprint and the main Grand Prix race instead of using a single session to set both grids. Friday starts with a 45-minute first free practice, followed by a second session cut to 30 minutes that no longer decides direct entry into later qualifying phases. Friday track running concludes with a new 15-minute qualifying session open to all 22 riders to establish the sprint grid. Saturday begins with a 20-minute third practice before Grand Prix qualifying, where all riders contest Q1 and the top 12 advance to Q2 to compete for Sunday pole position. The sprint race takes place on Saturday afternoon using the results from Friday afternoon.

Technical regulations and warm-up removal

The traditional Sunday morning warm-up session will be eliminated under the new arrangement. Riders will instead have the pit lane open for ten minutes immediately ahead of the Grand Prix, allowing reconnaissance laps and final technical checks following the Moto3 and Moto2 races. The timetable changes coincide with wider technical adjustments scheduled for 2027, when engine displacement will decrease to 850cc. The 2027 regulations also mandate reductions in aerodynamics, changes to motorcycle weight, restrictions on ride-height devices, and a transition to Pirelli tyres. Series organizers stated that the objective is to offer enhanced entertainment for spectators while maintaining balanced track time for teams, factories, and riders.

FP145

FP230

FP320

Sprint qualifying15

Sunday reconnaissance window10

FP1

45 minutes

FP2

30 minutes

FP3

20 minutes

Sprint qualifying

15 minutes

Sunday reconnaissance window

10 minutes

Data from the article text

Organization response to safety debate

MotoGP Deputy Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ezpeleta defended the format against concerns over safety and compressed track time. Ezpeleta stated that the restructuring originated as a proposal from the racing teams rather than a unilateral decision by promoters or championship owner Liberty Media. According to Ezpeleta, removing qualifying implications from Friday practice sessions frees teams from immediate time pressure. He explained that mechanics and engineers can use Friday track time to refine electronics and race setups without treating practice as an unofficial qualifying heat. Ezpeleta described the tactical adjustment for race preparations.

“Teams will be able to focus on fine-tuning setups, configuring electronics, and preparing for race performance without the usual time constraints.”

Rider opposition and paddock reaction

Spanish rider Pedro Acosta, who will race for Ducati in the 2027 season, voiced opposition to the new weekend structure. Acosta expressed skepticism about placing all 22 riders together on track during a compressed 15-minute sprint qualifying session. He also questioned the removal of the Sunday warm-up, pointing to injury rates across the grid and the need to inspect machines after falls during Saturday sprint races. Acosta detailed his safety concerns regarding Sunday morning preparation.

“If you take the list of riders currently on the grid, try to find four who have not been injured throughout the year. There are very few who have had no injuries. I do not know if removing the warm-up, when you crashed on Saturday, is a good option.”

Acosta added that riders had little influence over the adoption of the format despite their reservations. The format changes will take effect alongside two new circuits planned for the 2027 calendar, while the 2026 title contest between Jorge Martín and Marc Márquez remains separated by two points with six rounds left.