MotoGP introduces separate sprint qualifying and drops Sunday warm-up for 2027

Dual qualifying system

MotoGP will overhaul its Grand Prix weekend structure starting with the 2027 season, decoupling the Sprint race starting grid from the main Sunday event. Under the system established in 2023, a single qualifying session held on Saturday morning determined the starting positions for both the short sprint race and the full-length Grand Prix. From 2027, each race weekend will stage two independent qualifying sessions. The format revision coincides with the arrival of 800cc engines and an updated technical rulebook for the premier class. The structural reform was approved by team voting held at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. During those discussions, teams considered adopting a three-part knockout format mirroring Formula 1 qualifying (Q1, Q2, and Q3), but that proposal was rejected in favor of a revised two-stage format.

Friday timetable adjustments

Friday track activity will open with a 45-minute first free practice session (FP1) in the morning. A second free practice session (FP2) running for 30 minutes will replace the previous practice session and will carry no qualifying implications for the weekend. Under the previous format, Friday lap times determined which riders bypassed the repechage round to gain direct entry into Saturday's Q2. Under the 2027 regulations, Friday will conclude with a dedicated 15-minute qualifying session involving all riders. This new Friday shootout will establish the starting positions exclusively for Saturday afternoon's Sprint race. Series organizers explained the objectives behind the revised schedule.

to offer a greater spectacle to fans and add new incentives to each session, while maintaining balanced track time for riders, teams, and manufacturers

Saturday schedule and universal Q1

Saturday track action will begin with a 20-minute FP3 free practice session, giving teams a final window to evaluate their machines before Grand Prix qualifying. Qualifying for Sunday's main race will follow shortly after FP3. In a shift from the previous rules, every rider on the entry list will be required to participate in Q1. The fastest 12 riders from the 15-minute Q1 session will advance to the 15-minute Q2 session to compete for pole position for Sunday's Grand Prix. The second day of track action will conclude with the Sprint race in the afternoon, with starting spots dictated entirely by Friday's results.

Sunday warm-up removal and calendar

Sunday schedules will eliminate the morning warm-up session entirely, shifting early track time to promotional activities and preparation. Sunday racing will begin directly with the Moto3 and Moto2 categories, where Dutch competitors Collin Veijer and Zonta van den Goorbergh currently compete in the intermediate class. For the premier class, the pit lane will open for ten minutes prior to the Grand Prix. This window allows riders to complete multiple reconnaissance laps and cycle through pit lane to check bike performance and track grip levels before lining up on the grid. The 2027 world championship will span 22 rounds, launching on 7 March 2027 in Thailand and concluding on 28 November 2027 in Valencia, Spain, with round 17 set for 3 October 2027 at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimao, Portugal.