MOTOGP CONFIRMS NEW WEEKEND FORMAT FOR 2027 WITH SPRINT QUALIFYING
MotoGP has confirmed a new weekend format for the 2027 season, introducing a dedicated qualifying session for the Sprint Race. The change will create two separate starting grids for every Grand Prix weekend: one for Saturday’s Sprint and another for Sunday’s main race. The new format will arrive alongside major technical changes to the championship, including the introduction of 850cc engines.
The biggest change will take place on Friday, when Sprint Qualifying will become part of the schedule for the first time. Until the end of the 2026 season, the same qualifying results determine the starting positions for both the Sprint and the Grand Prix. From 2027, riders will have to fight for their Sprint grid positions separately, adding another important session to the weekend.
Friday’s action will begin with Free Practice 1, lasting 45 minutes, followed by Free Practice 2, which will be reduced to 30 minutes. The second session will no longer determine which riders advance directly to Q2 for Grand Prix qualifying. Instead, the day will end with a new 15-minute Sprint Qualifying session involving all riders. The results will decide the starting grid for Saturday’s Sprint Race.
Saturday will begin with Free Practice 3, lasting 20 minutes. Grand Prix qualifying will then follow, with all riders taking part in Q1 for 15 minutes. The 12 fastest riders will advance to Q2, which will also last 15 minutes and decide pole position and the leading positions on the grid for Sunday’s race.
The Sprint Race will remain on Saturday afternoon, but its starting grid will now be determined by Friday’s Sprint Qualifying rather than Saturday’s Grand Prix qualifying. This means that riders will have two separate opportunities to secure a strong starting position over the weekend, with each qualifying session directly affecting a different race. <Cite refs={[“turn212580search14″,”turn212580search15”]}/>
Sunday will also see a change to the schedule. The traditional 10-minute MotoGP warm-up session will be removed. Instead, the pit lane will open for 10 minutes before the Grand Prix, allowing riders to complete sighting laps and check their motorcycles before the race. The starting grid for the main event will remain based on Saturday’s Grand Prix qualifying. <Cite refs={[“turn212580search15″,”turn212580news8”]}/>
The new format will reduce the amount of practice time available to riders and teams. According to MotoGP’s official announcement, the changes are intended to balance track time with the addition of Sprint Qualifying, while creating more competitive moments throughout the weekend. Manufacturers will also have less track time to accumulate mileage on their components ahead of the 2027 technical changes.
The introduction of Sprint Qualifying follows the arrival of Sprint Races at every Grand Prix in 2023. Since then, Saturday’s qualifying session has set the grid for both races. The new system will make Friday more important, as riders will need to find speed over a single short session to secure a good starting position for the Sprint, while still preparing for the main race.
However, the changes have also raised concerns among some riders. Pedro Acosta has criticised the new format, pointing to the increased pressure and the removal of Sunday’s warm-up. That session currently gives riders a final opportunity to check their bikes and adapt to the conditions before the Grand Prix.
The 2027 season will therefore bring two major changes to MotoGP: a new generation of technical regulations and a revised weekend schedule. With separate qualifying sessions for the Sprint and Grand Prix, Friday and Saturday will have different objectives, while Sunday will focus entirely on the main races across the three classes.
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