MotoGP Sprint Races – Instructions

The first Sprint race in the history of MotoGP will be launched this Saturday at 16:00 p.m. on the Aragon circuit. These short races will be organized every day before the Grand Prix over all the rounds of the season and will allow the first 9 drivers to finish to pocket half the points of a classic race (12, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 points).

Mentally and physically, drivers will have to adapt to these new constraints © Michelin

Their start will be given every Saturday at 15:00 p.m. local time, therefore 16:00 p.m. French time for this first Portuguese round, for a distance of approximately 50% of the total of a usual race. The grid setting procedure will be reduced to its strict minimum and the sporting regulations will be the same as for the traditional Sunday round. A big show on the program to the delight of fans. Like any major change, this constitutes a challenge for the teams and drivers, who will have to manage this additional effort and very quickly define the best strategy to follow during the weekend. 

42 races in the season!

Unlike the Formula 1, Sprint races will not determine the starting grid for the main event. The drivers will thus be free to compete in this Saturday race without restraint, without having to worry about a possible incident which could influence their position at the start on Sunday. The grids for the two weekend races will be established during qualifying, the format of which evolves very subtly.

42 departures in 2023 © Michelin

MotoGP riders will be entitled to two free practice sessions of 45 and 60 minutes on Friday, the combined ranking of which will determine the riders automatically qualified for Q2.

On Saturday morning, the MotoGP grid will compete in a 30-minute free practice session followed by Q1 and Q2, of 15 minutes each, and therefore now the Sprint Race.

Each point gleaned on Saturday could prove decisive in winning the title © Michelin

In order to bring more clarity to the tests, the MotoGP sessions will be the last of each block, further standardizing a progressive format, Moto3 being followed by Moto2, then MotoGP.

The drivers validate the Sprint

If the drivers will have to take on a new physical and mental challenge, a great unanimity seems to unite them regarding this novelty.

fabio quartararo : “Mentally and physically, we will take yet another step, compared to last year. The weekend promises to be very intense, but our job is to perform, so we will do the best we can. »

Jack Miller: “I am convinced that the possible questions raised by this format will dissipate after two or three races,” he continued. Everyone will love it and I would even go so far as to say that some will prefer these events to the traditional Grand Prix. »

Brad Binder: " I can not wait to be there. I have always been better in the race than in the tests. So having more, for me, is even better. It will add spectacle to the Championship, while making it even more interesting. »

Franco Morbidelli: “It will be more exciting for the fans. And deep down, every pilot loves combat. So expect there to be some,”

John Zarco: “You have no time to lose, you have to be in the game straight away to hope to be on the first row and make a good start. I know some very good ones at this exercise. » 

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