Opinion: How will sprint races benefit MotoGP

With the 2023 MotoGP season swiftly approaching, and the introduction of sprint races, many fans are still unsure of the idea. So, will the sprint races be a welcomed addition to the championship in 2023?

Since Grand Prix Motorcycle racing launched in 1949, there have never been two races in one weekend for one class. But in 2023, MotoGP will have a sprint race at every race weekend next year. The sprint races aim to increase viewership and to a more casual audience.

In 2021, the FIA and F1 trialled a successful run of sprint races throughout the season. This ultimately gave MotoGP the idea to launch a fan survey in early 2022; this survey showed that it was what fans wanted. Quickly a plan would be made, with an announcement at Aragon.

The idea of sprint races was controversial not only to fans but also to the riders. 2021 MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo called the idea “a stupid idea”, while Eight-time world champion Marc Marquez said it’s “more spectacular.”

How will sprint races work?

The sprint races will be half-race distance events which will take place every Saturday of a MotoGP weekend. The riders will score half championship points, with the winner scoring nine points. The championship points will continue to ninth position, where one point will be awarded.

There will no longer be three sessions which count towards a place in Q2, this is due to the third free practice being removed. On Friday, Free Practice has now been rebranded as ‘Practice 1’ and ‘Practice 2’. Saturday’s session has also been rebranded as ‘Free Practice’ as it will not count towards Q2, much like the previously named Free Practice 4.

However, sprint races have come at a cost, mainly for the lower classes. Both Moto3 and Moto2 have had a reduction in track time, with their warm-up being completely removed. This means that young riders will have less time to check their bike before a race on Sunday.

Why are sprint races needed?

MotoGP has seen massive fluctuations in attendance to races in 2022, with extremely low numbers at Silverstone and Italy. This is partly due to the retirement of nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi who left the sport after 25 years.

The reduction in fans means MotoGP needs to attract new fans to a race weekend through sprint races. They are aiming towards a more casual audience, with shorter races and the launch of the recent MotoGP Unlimited series.

Another attempt made to appeal to a more casual fan base is a new Riders Fan Show. This show is in place of the Moto3 and Moto2 warm-up, and is a brand-new way for fans can interact with the riders. This brand-new show, should let the riders’ personalities show and let fans see them as humans.

Will sprint races work?

MotoGP is not the first series to add a sprint race into their weekend format; WorldSBK has had sprint racing since 2019. Sprint races have led to WorldSBK having some incredible races, proving that it could be good for MotoGP.

Unlike WorldSBK, MotoGP’s race will not count towards the grid for Sunday’s race which I think is a benefit. This means that riders can push 110% on track without having the added pressure of it counting towards Sunday’s race.

Although there are only nine points for a race win, sprint races will completely switch up a rider’s approach to a weekend. This could lead to brand new title contenders whose style and bike suit the shorter races.

I believe that sprint races will work well for MotoGP as although some existing fans are not happy, we can only fully judge once we see it in action. Sprint races will give the championship a new dynamic, and add attendance and excitement on Saturday.

Image from motogp.com