Bold MotoGP proposal: A two-grid format for fairer qualifying
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Andrew McLarneyMotoGP Reporter
Andrew McLarney is an accredited MotoGP reporter with four years experience as a professional writer across the sports and video game industries. His experience as a K1 Premier League competitor evolved into a fascination with all forms of combat sport and eventually motorsport — with MotoGP becoming his primary focus. On top of that he is also an avid follower of MXGP and AMA Supercross/Motocross.
Trackhouse Racing team boss Davide Brivio has given his thoughts on the current MotoGP weekend format and has proposed an alternative structure to give teams at the back of the grid a better chance in qualifying.
As things currently stand, riders complete a total of three practice sessions before qualifying, with two Free Practice sessions and one timed session in which the top 10 riders automatically go through to Q2.
For the remaning 10, the Q1 session is a battle for the top two places, with the top two then advancing to join the fastest 10 from Friday in Q2.
The results from Q1 and Q2 determine the starting order for both the Saturday sprint and the Sunday main race.
Brivio, whose Trackhouse team experienced their most successful stint in the premier class last season, has offered an alternative structure for race weekends to enable more room for mistakes and setup alterations.
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"I don't like Friday, when you already have to be in the top 10 and that sets up the entire week," the team boss told Crash.net, "I'd like Friday afternoon to remain as it is, but to serve as qualification for the sprint race, then have a real qualifying session for Sunday's race."
"This way, we'd have two grids and we wouldn't be committed to the weekend from Friday if something went wrong."
Raul Fernandez celebrates victory for Trackhouse Racing at the 2025 Australian GP (Photo: Red Bull Content Pool)
Last season, Trackhouse were one of the most impressive satellite teams. Powered by Aprilia parts, the team scored solid points throughout the year with Japanese rookie Ai Ogura, as well as a podium and race victory for Raul Fernandez.
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