MotoGP could switch to Formula 1 two-by-two grid layouts in major rule change

The past three grand prix have seen the first corner watched through fingers due to nasty crashes, nowhere more so than in Hungary last time out. A loss of control from 2024 champion Jorge Martin took out title rival Marco Bezzechi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, injuring the latter and provoking a rethink from the sport’s rule-makers.

While some blamed the shortness of the run into turn one at Balaton Park, there were even more consequential scenes in Catalunya despite the Barcelona circuit possessing one of MotoGP’s longest straights.

Johann Zarco was caught out during the restart and was left in a neck brace with damaged knee ligaments after his leg got caught in Francesco Bagnaia’s Ducati which pulled him through a chaotic trip into the gravel.

As such, MotoGP CSO Carlos Ezpeleta signalled a change in approach during an interview in Mugello, and that’s now been confirmed for upcoming races. Speaking at the time, the executive said: "We're studying a different starting grid layout with more space between riders. Changing the grid is a very, very big change in the championship, and sometimes, given the distance between the starting line and the last corner, more significant changes should be made to the circuits."

Despite that, teams have agreed to try out a new approach, with leading Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport saying the first test is planned for the Czech Grand Prix in Brno on June 21.

Space between grid rows will be increased by three metres, and then, if all goes to plan, a concrete change will be in place next time out in Germany and going forward for the rest of the season. The changes will be submitted to the Grand Prix Commission, which must approve them before amending the regulations.

MotoGP grids could also look even more different, with the sport reportedly considering changing from three abreast to two, much like Formula 1 and other four-wheeled motorsports.

The switch would not only look drastically different, but also completely change the importance of qualifying with riders starting even further apart.

A change to proceedings is certainly timely, with MotoGP heading to Adelaide for a street race in 2027 where safety will be of huge concern.

There will also be another change to improve race-start safety following the German Grand Prix, with ride-height devices to be banned from the British Grand Prix onwards on August 9.

The ban was part of the 2027 regulations, but has now been brought forward to the first race after the summer break, with recent incidents accelerating its implementation. The initial plan was just for a ban at Silverstone and Phillip Island due to track characteristics, but it’s since been broadened out to every circuit.

Ezpeleta explained earlier this year: “The proposal to ban ride-height devices is for every circuit. It is now up to the manufacturers to evaluate it. This is a discussion with an expiry date because the devices will no longer be part of the sport in 2027, so the question is whether we can do something already this year.”

One of those involved in the most recent incident, VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio, gave a stark take on the issue. ‘Diggia’ was one of two to be taken out by Martin’s loss of control, but he was able to rejoin the race and ultimately finish 10th.

Speaking post-race, he told Crash.net: “First of all, I hope that everybody is safe, that is the most important thing. But for sure, whatever happened with Jorge, we need to avoid it. I think, and talking also about myself, we risk too much every time. We are not risking just to crash or lose the front, we are risking to put the lives of other riders in danger.

Di Giannantonio was also asked about changes to grid spacing, and if Barcelona and Balaton were to blame due to heavy breaking into turn one: “It can be for whatever. I don’t care. I just want to race; I want to fight hard for my place, but I want to come back home, and at the moment, I think we are experiencing in the last years, crazy things on the starts. I always say - and it has to be the same to me if I do these things - it's completely unacceptable.