MotoGP unveils 2027 format with double qualifying

MotoGP will undergo a major format overhaul in 2027, with Dorna and Liberty Media confirming a redesigned weekend schedule built around two separate qualifying sessions. The Sprint race will now have its own 15‑minute qualifier on Friday, while the traditional warm‑up is moved to just ten minutes before Sunday’s Grand Prix start. The new structure reshapes the balance between practice and performance, giving teams 105 minutes of free practice across the weekend, though Saturday’s 20‑minute FP3 offers little room for meaningful setup work.

The biggest challenge lies in traffic management. With 22 bikes on track during both the Sprint Qualifying and Q1, impeding risks and yellow‑flag disruptions could heavily influence grid positions. Riders will need heightened awareness to avoid penalties and ensure clean laps. While the late warm‑up may help assess mixed‑condition tracks, it limits experimentation. The format aims to boost spectacle, but it may also amplify tension during the most crowded sessions of the weekend.