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

MotoGP launched dash races at the beginning of the 2023 season, considerably altering the collection’ outdated and confirmed weekend format.

Whereas the consensus stays that the transfer is a hit, some really feel that it has taken consideration away from qualifying and made the schedule much more punishing for groups.

In an unique interview with Motorsport.com’s sister title Motorsport-Whole.com , former KTM group supervisor Francesco Guidotti recommended that the outcomes from the dash race needs to be used to find out the beginning grid for the grand prix. This may additionally make Friday’s second observe session much less aggravating for these concerned.

The thought isn’t precisely new, because the dash race within the World Superbike Championship is used to kind the primary three rows for the second essential race. Guidotti would really like the MotoGP dash to resolve your complete beginning order of the grand prix.

“If I may change one thing, it might be qualifying. With the present format, we’ve to push very arduous on Friday afternoon. Nevertheless it’s solely Friday,” defined Guidotti.

“Saturday is simply too aggravating. Q1 and Q2 are very exhausting. Two hours later we have already got the dash race. I’d change the qualifying format.

“If it have been as much as me, there can be a mixed qualifying session from the Friday afternoon and Saturday morning classes. This may outline the beginning grid for the dash. I’d then use the results of the dash race for the beginning grid for the primary race.”

The dash race within the World Superbike Championship is used to kind the primary three rows of the grid for the second essential race

Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos

Although qualifying is extra vital for riders and groups than up to now, because of overtaking being tougher than earlier than, media consideration is considerably decrease as a result of the dash takes place shortly after qualifying on Saturday.

“At present, qualifying is simply vital for 2 hours. It was vital from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon,” mentioned Guidotti.

“With the present format, the media focuses extra on the dash race than on qualifying. From a media perspective, qualifying is a giant threat for nearly nothing.”

One other criticism of the brand new format is that the dash is of little significance for riders working outdoors the highest 9.

“In case you are not within the prime 9, there isn’t a must push. It doesn’t matter for those who end P12 or P15. It makes no distinction. It could be completely different if it mattered for the beginning grid of the primary race,” he mentioned.

“One other benefit can be that the riders wouldn’t begin such dangerous strikes as a result of they’d have to remember that they’d be penalised for a fall with a nasty beginning place. The entire weekend can be a bit extra balanced with this format.”

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