MotoGP Introduces New Qualifying Format for 2027 Season

The revised weekend schedule will feature separate qualifying sessions for the Sprint and Grand Prix, creating two distinct starting grids as MotoGP enters a new technical era.

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MotoGP will introduce a new race weekend format for the 2027 season, featuring separate qualifying sessions for the Sprint and Grand Prix as the championship prepares for a major technical overhaul.

The changes will give each race its own starting grid, adding another competitive element to the weekend while maintaining a balanced amount of track time for riders, teams and manufacturers.

The revised format will also coincide with MotoGP’s new technical regulations in 2027, bringing a fresh approach to both the motorcycles and the on-track schedule.

New MotoGP Weekend Format Explained

Friday’s action will begin with a 45-minute Free Practice 1 session, followed by a shorter 30-minute Free Practice 2 session. Unlike the current Practice session, FP2 will not determine which riders progress directly into qualifying.

The day will conclude with a new 15-minute Sprint qualifying session involving all riders. This session will determine the starting grid for Saturday’s MotoGP Sprint.

On Saturday, riders will begin with a 20-minute Free Practice 3 session before moving into Grand Prix qualifying. Grand Prix Qualifying 1 will feature all riders, with the top 12 advancing to Qualifying 2. Both qualifying sessions will last 15 minutes, with the results determining the starting grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

The MotoGP Sprint will then take place on Saturday afternoon, using the grid established during Friday’s Sprint qualifying session. This means riders will need to perform across two separate qualifying sessions to secure their preferred starting positions for both races, rather than relying on a single qualifying result for the entire weekend.

Sunday Schedule Gets a New Look

Sunday’s schedule will also undergo changes, with the Moto3 and Moto2 races taking place before the MotoGP Grand Prix. The existing MotoGP Warm Up session will be removed from its usual place in the morning schedule.

Instead, riders will receive a 10-minute window when the pitlane opens before the Grand Prix, allowing them to complete sighting laps and carry out final checks ahead of the race. The MotoGP Grand Prix will then begin with the grid determined by Saturday’s Grand Prix qualifying results.

Two Races, Two Starting Grids

Under the new format, MotoGP weekends will feature two distinct qualifying sessions and two separate starting grids for the Sprint and Grand Prix. The changes are designed to create additional competitive stakes throughout the weekend while preserving track time for teams to work on their motorcycles.

The 2027 season will also introduce new technical regulations, marking a significant transition for the championship as it enters a new era of premier-class racing.

With the Sprint qualifying session adding another opportunity for riders to fight for grid positions, every day of the Grand Prix weekend will carry greater significance as teams adapt to the revised format.