Davide Brivio, the head of the Trackhouse MotoGP team, has advocated for altering MotoGP’s qualifying procedure to adopt a structure similar to Formula 1‘s sprint weekends. Since 2013, MotoGP has used a Q1/Q2 qualifying system heavily influenced by Friday’s practice sessions, which Brivio suggests might unfairly determine a rider’s success over the entire race weekend.
Currently, after Friday’s practices conclude, the fastest 10 riders proceed straight to the Q2 session, which decides the pole position, while others compete in Q1 for two remaining Q2 spots. This approach replaced the previous format where combined times from three practice sessions set the qualifying order. Now, only the second practice on Friday afternoon influences which riders enter Q2 or Q1, intensifying the pressure on that single session.
Evaluating Formula 1’s Two-Session Qualifying Model for MotoGP
Formula 1’s weekend qualifying consists of two separate sessions: a sprint qualifying on Friday that sets the grid for a short race, and another qualifying session on Saturday that determines the starting lineup for the main Grand Prix. Brivio believes adopting a comparable model would benefit MotoGP by preventing early setbacks from defining the entire event.
It’s a completely personal opinion, but I don’t like Friday afternoon, when you already have to be in the top 10, and that affects the whole weekend,
Brivio told GPOne.
He suggested retaining the current Friday afternoon session but transforming it into qualifying solely for the sprint race, then adding a distinct qualifying event to set the grid for Sunday’s main race.
According to him, this change would create separate starting positions for the sprint and grand prix races, ensuring that riders facing difficulties on Friday would not see their entire weekend compromised.
In my opinion, it would also be more spectacular, create greater interest, and there would be more results to follow throughout the weekend.
Implications of a Split Qualifying Format for Future Race Weekends
Introducing separate qualifying sessions for sprint and main races could encourage increased competition and maintain excitement across the entire weekend. This adjustment would parallel Formula 1’s evolving schedule while potentially addressing concerns expressed by riders and teams about the current format’s heavy reliance on a single session.
As MotoGP continues to engage fans and adapt its race weekend structure, the possibility of adopting an F1-style qualifying model may influence the sport’s competitive dynamics and broadcast appeal in upcoming seasons.
