Should MotoGP follow WSBK and let the sprint races decide the starting grid?

MotoGP introduced sprint races at the start of the 2023 season, marking a significant change to the series’ old and proven weekend format.

While the general consensus remains that the move is successful, some believe that it has taken the focus away from qualifying and made the schedule even more difficult for teams.

In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com’s sister title Motorsport-Total.com Former KTM team manager Francesco Guidotti suggested that the results of the sprint races should be used to determine the starting grid for the Grand Prix. This will also make Friday’s second practice session less stressful for those involved.

The idea is not entirely new, as sprint races in the World Superbike Championship are used to form the first three lines for the second main race. Guidotti would like the MotoGP sprints to decide the entire Grand Prix starting order.

“If I could change something, it would be qualifying. With the current format, we have to work very hard on Friday afternoon. But it’s only Friday,” Guidotti explained.

“Saturday is very stressful. Q1 and Q2 are very tiring. Two hours later we already have a sprint race. I will change the qualifying format.

“If it were up to me, there would be a combined qualifying session from the Friday afternoon and Saturday morning sessions. This would define the starting grid for the sprint. Then I would use the results of the sprint races for the starting grid of the main race.”

Although qualifying is more important for riders and teams than before, with overtaking being harder than before, there is significantly less media attention as the sprint takes place immediately after qualifying on the Saturday.

“Currently, qualifying is only important for two hours. It used to be important from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon,” Guidotti said.

“With the current format, the media focuses more on the sprint races than qualifying. From a media perspective, qualifying is a big risk for almost anything.

Another criticism of the new format is that the sprint has little value for riders finishing outside the top nine.

“If you’re not in the top nine, there’s no need to push. It doesn’t matter if you finish P12 or P15. It doesn’t matter if it matters for the starting grid of the main race. If it is, it will be different.” He said.

“Another advantage will be that riders will not start such risky moves as they will have to take into account that they will be penalized if they fall with a bad starting position. The whole weekend will be a little more balanced with this format.”