MotoGP sprints to have their own qualifying sessions

MotoGP has decided to introduce separate qualifying sessions for their sprint races starting in 2027, according to a statement released on Wednesday. This change will result in a distinct grid for the shorter, high-energy races, which are held on Saturdays and offer 12 championship points to the winners. Currently, these sprints share the same grid positions as the Sunday Grand Prix races.

As part of this new format, MotoGP plans to reduce the second practice session to just 30 minutes, freeing up time for a new 15-minute sprint qualifying session every Friday. This will be used to determine the starting positions for the brief races. The organization believes this change will provide an exciting spectacle for fans while adding new significance to each session.