MotoGP 2027: New Sprint Qualifying to Create Separate Grids for Sprint and Grand Prix

October 7, 2026: MotoGP will introduce a major change to its weekend format in 2027, with a new 15-minute Sprint qualifying session set to determine the grid for Saturday’s Tissot Sprint. The change will create separate starting grids for the Sprint and the main Grand Prix at every round.

The new weekend format will accompany MotoGP’s major technical regulation changes in 2027, giving fans an expanded on-track spectacle while creating additional opportunities for riders and teams to compete for grid positions.

Under the new format, Sprint qualifying will take place on Friday, while traditional Grand Prix qualifying will remain on Saturday. This means the results of Sprint qualifying will no longer determine the starting order for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

New MotoGP Friday Format

Friday’s MotoGP action will begin with a 45-minute Free Practice 1, retaining the current session length.

FP2 will then be shortened to 30 minutes, replacing the current Practice session. Unlike the existing format, the new FP2 will not be timed for entry into any subsequent qualifying session.

Friday’s action will conclude with the new 15-minute Sprint qualifying session, with all riders competing for their starting positions for Saturday’s Tissot Sprint.

This creates a distinct competitive element on Friday, with riders having to fight for Sprint grid positions without directly affecting their starting positions for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Saturday Gets New FP3 and Grand Prix Qualifying

Saturday will begin with a 20-minute FP3, giving MotoGP riders another opportunity to prepare their bikes before Grand Prix qualifying.

The Grand Prix qualifying format will continue to feature Q1 and Q2. All riders will initially participate in Grand Prix Q1, with the fastest 12 progressing to Q2.

Both qualifying sessions will last 15 minutes.

The Tissot Sprint will then take place on Saturday afternoon, using the grid established during Friday’s Sprint qualifying.

This means MotoGP will have two separate qualifying battles and two different grids over the course of the weekend.

MotoGP Grand Prix Grid Decided Separately

Sunday’s schedule will also receive an adjustment.

The Moto3 and Moto2 races will now take place before the MotoGP Grand Prix, while the track time previously allocated to MotoGP Warm Up will be replaced by a 10-minute pitlane opening period ahead of the Grand Prix.

The additional time will allow riders to complete multiple sighting laps and carry out a final shakedown before taking their positions on the grid.

The MotoGP Grand Prix will then begin with the starting order determined exclusively by Grand Prix Q1 and Q2.

MotoGP 2027 Weekend Format at a Glance

Friday

• FP1 – 45 minutes
• FP2 – 30 minutes
• Sprint Qualifying – 15 minutes

Saturday

• FP3 – 20 minutes
• Grand Prix Q1 – 15 minutes, all riders
• Grand Prix Q2 – 15 minutes, top 12 from Q1
• MotoGP Sprint – grid determined by Sprint qualifying

Sunday

• Moto3 Grand Prix
• Moto2 Grand Prix
• MotoGP Grand Prix – grid determined by Grand Prix qualifying

Two Grids, Two Showdowns in 2027

The new format represents a significant change to the MotoGP weekend structure. Instead of one qualifying result influencing both the Sprint and Grand Prix, riders will have to fight for two separate starting positions.

Friday’s Sprint qualifying will determine the grid for Saturday’s short-format race, while Saturday’s Grand Prix qualifying will establish the starting order for Sunday’s main event.

The format is designed to provide more distinct competitive moments across the weekend while maintaining a balanced amount of track time for riders, teams and manufacturers.

The changes will arrive alongside MotoGP’s all-new technical regulations for 2027, making next season one of the biggest periods of change in the championship’s recent history.

With the 2026 season currently heading towards its climax and the championship producing its closest title battle, MotoGP is already preparing for another major chapter in 2027.

The result will be a MotoGP weekend featuring two qualifying sessions, two different grids and two separate opportunities for riders to fight for victory.