2027 will bring many innovations to MotoGP. Technical regulations will change next year. Engine capacity will be reduced from 1000 cc to 850 cc, traction control systems in vehicles will be removed, and aerodynamic adjustments will be made. Furthermore, the tire supplier will change from Michelin to Pirelli. The MotoGP Entertainment Group announced another innovation for next year: the Weekend Format will be reorganized.
New Sprint Race Structure
A separate qualifying session will be held before Saturday afternoon instead of Saturday morning for the Sprint race. This qualifying session will take place before Friday afternoon. On Friday, MotoGP will begin with a 45-minute free practice (FP1) as usual. In the afternoon, a new 30-minute second free practice (FP2) will be held; this will change the time spent in practice, which currently exceeds 60 minutes. However, FP2 will not be decisive for participation in other sessions. Friday will conclude with a new 15-minute Sprint Qualifying session; this qualifying session will determine the starting positions for the MotoGP Sprint before Sunday afternoon. Saturday will begin with FP3; this will be a 20-minute free practice. Following this, a two-stage qualifying session for the Grand Prix will take place. All riders will compete in Q1, and the fastest twelve riders will proceed to Q2; in Q2, the pole positions and the starting grid for the main race will be determined. The Sprint race will conclude after the MotoGP Saturday session, and the starting grid will be taken from the Sprint Qualifying. Sunday will begin with the Moto3 and Moto2 races. The morning warm-up will no longer be present for MotoGP; however, riders will be allowed to be on track for ten minutes before the race starts for the Grand Prix. The starting grid for the main race will be determined by the Q1 and Q2 results from Saturday.
Purpose of the New Format
The new MotoGP format will introduce a separate starting grid for each race; this will apply to both the Sprint and the Grand Prix. MotoGP stated that this new format balances an incredible spectacle for fans with new challenges for each session, while ensuring a balanced riding time for riders, teams, and manufacturers.
The new format balances an incredible spectacle for fans with new challenges for each session and a balanced riding time for riders, teams, and manufacturers.
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- Archive: MotoGP Changes Weekend Format (October 8, 2026)
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Go to sourceCompiled by Şükrü Utku Poyraz
