MotoGP Announces Format Change From British Grand Prix Onwards
Categories: MotoGP
For some time now, various MotoGP teams have been calling for a change of format in favour of more setup time on Fridays. The Grand Prix Commission has now decided to make the adjustment.
After a lengthy consultation period, the MotoGP Grand Prix Commission has accepted the proposals of some teams to change Practice 1, which could previously also be used to pre-qualify for Q2, back to Free Practice.
The riders in particular had complained about the great stress already on Friday. There was “hardly any time to adapt to the track and the bike”, explained world champion Francesco Bagnaia.
While a possible decision in favour of the riders was blocked by Ducati at the Dutch Grand Prix, the Grand Prix Commission now puts money where the mouth is and approves a proposal that was “unanimously agreed on by the MotoGP Teams”.
1 hour of Practice on Friday to get into Q2 ✅
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) July 17, 2023
Here's how the schedule will look like from now on 👀#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/gOijiW6Oj2
Practice 1 will become Free Practice 1, and pre-qualification for Qualifying 2 will only take place in Practice, the second practice session on Friday afternoon.
With this change, it is hoped to take some pressure off the riders and teams on Friday and reduce the number of practice crashes.
