Story Highlight
– Einführung der Sprints verändert MotoGP-Wochenendablauf erheblich.
– Brivio schlägt zwei Qualifyings für mehr Flexibilität vor.
– Ein Fehler kann gesamtes Rennwochenende ruinieren.
– Technische Reform 2027 alleine löst nicht alle Probleme.
– Formel 1 und DTM nutzen bereits zwei Qualifyings.
Full Story
The introduction of sprint races in MotoGP has significantly altered the weekend schedule, with Friday’s results now playing a crucial role in determining starting positions for both the sprint and the main race. This change has led to criticism from teams advocating for a modification of the existing format.
Davide Brivio, the head of Trackhouse Racing, has proposed splitting the qualifying sessions into two distinct events—one specifically for the sprint and another for the Grand Prix. He argues that the current system allows a single mistake to undermine an entire weekend, effectively penalising riders for unforeseen mishaps.
Currently, the top ten riders from Friday’s practice advance directly to Q2, where a de facto pre-qualifying session occurs. Only two additional spots in the final qualifying round, Q1, remain open, resulting in twelve contenders vying for pole position, with the qualifying results applicable to both races.
The high stakes of the current format are underscored by incidents like crashes or yellow flags, which can thwart an entire race weekend, as noted by Luca Marini. Brivio believes that implementing two separate qualifying sessions could introduce more flexibility to the starting line-ups and permit unexpected outcomes.
Meanwhile, a new technical regulation is set to be introduced for 2027, aimed at making overtaking easier. However, Brivio cautions that merely changing the technology will not resolve all challenges. He stated, “There will be a significant rule change coming, but we should always consider what we can do to improve our show.”
In motorsport circles, Formula 1 and DTM already implement two qualifying sessions during sprint weekends. However, directly applying this model to MotoGP presents challenges due to a tight schedule and the emphasis placed by organisers on Saturday as a peak day for spectators.
Commercial interests are another significant factor to be taken into account. For instance, Liberty Media allocates specific time slots for promotional activities, making it improbable that the Grand Prix qualifying sessions could be moved. Any changes would likely necessitate a full overhaul of the schedule, including adjustments for the junior categories, Moto2 and Moto3.
Ultimately, this ongoing discussion illustrates that a technical overhaul alone may not suffice if the objective is to enhance excitement and ensure equitable opportunities for all competitors.
