MotoGP Adds Separate Sprint Qualifying for 2027

MotoGP will introduce a separate 15-minute qualifying session for its Saturday sprint race in the 2027 season, changing how the grids for the sprint and Grand Prix are set. The new Friday session will determine only the sprint grid, while a separate qualifying session on Saturday will set the Grand Prix grid, according to the announced format. Friday will begin with a 45-minute first practice session, followed by a 30-minute second practice session and sprint qualifying. The new arrangement removes the existing timed practice session used to determine which riders advance directly to Q2. Instead, all riders will start Grand Prix qualifying in Q1 on Saturday, with the 12 fastest advancing to Q2. Saturday’s schedule will include a 20-minute FP3 before Q1 and Q2. The sprint race remains scheduled for Saturday afternoon, but its starting order will come from Friday’s sprint qualifying rather than the Grand Prix qualifying results. The two races will therefore have separate grids. The changes redistribute track time across the weekend.