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

MotoGP launched dash races in the beginning of the 2023 season, considerably altering the collection’ previous 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 Autosport’s sister title Motorsport-Total.com, former KTM workforce supervisor Francesco Guidotti prompt 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 worrying for these concerned.

The thought isn’t precisely new, because the dash race within the World Superbike Championship is used to type the primary three rows for the second principal race. Guidotti would love the MotoGP dash to determine your entire beginning order of the grand prix.

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

“Saturday is simply too worrying. 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 could be a mixed qualifying session from the Friday afternoon and Saturday morning periods. 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 principle race.”

Though qualifying is extra vital for riders and groups than up to now, on account 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.

“Presently, qualifying is simply vital for 2 hours. It was once vital from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon,” stated Guidotti.

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

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

“If you’re not within the prime 9, there is no such thing as a have to push,” he added. “It doesn’t matter if you happen to end P12 or P15. It makes no distinction. It could be totally different if it mattered for the beginning grid of the principle race.

“One other benefit could be that the riders wouldn’t begin such dangerous strikes as a result of they might have to keep in mind that they might be penalised for a fall with a foul beginning place. The entire weekend could be a bit extra balanced with this format.”