Overall track time and mileage will remain the same, so there will be no need for extra tyres and engines.
The sprint race will start at 3pm on Saturday, following qualifying earlier in the day, and will run for approximately half grand prix distance, with points awarded thus: 12 for first, nine for second, seven for third, six for fourth, five for fifth, four for sixth, three for seventh, two for eighth and one for ninth. Grand prix points will remain the same, from 25 for victory to a single point for 15th.
Inevitably, opinion is split. Some riders like the idea, others don’t. It was always thus.
But I think it’s a disgrace that Dorna cooked up this idea without talking to the riders. How can the rights-holders make the biggest change to GP racing in three quarters of a century without involving the people that make it all happen – those that ride the motorcycles? Riders aren’t merely performing animals, so they 100% deserve to be involved in any discussion that will affect their lives and livelihoods.
It’s mind-boggling but this seems to be Dorna’s current attitude: we say, “Jump!” and we expect everyone else to say, “How high?!”.
MotoGP title challenger Aleix Espargaró is one of the riders who isn’t at all keen on the sprint-race idea.
“I want to believe that the management of the championship thinks that this is the best thing for the sport, for the show, for the popularity of the championship,” said the Aprilia rider at Red Bull Ring. “I don’t share this idea, but it’s just my opinion.
“I’ll enjoy it – it’ll be all or nothing!”
“I think it’s not the solution because I think the risk is going to be too high. I think that 42 starts [assuming 21 GPs] in a season is too many. They [Dorna] say that we will have the same track time, so nothing changes, but this is bullshit, because there’s a big difference [in risk] between FP4 and a race, where they give points for the championship.
“But they choose what they want and we have to adapt. Let’s try, maybe it’s a good solution…”
Espargaró has a point about the number of starts. During Friday’s media conference we were told that race starts are the most exciting moment of the weekend. That may or may not be true, but race starts are certainly the most dangerous moment of the weekend.
Unlike Espargaró, factory Ducati rider Jack Miller is very keen on sprint races.
“I’m a massive fan – it’s another chance of a bonus!” laughed the Aussie. “Why not try it? I’ll enjoy it – it’ll be all or nothing. As a rider it’ll make you want to risk more, but you won’t have to worry about tyres, or fuel, or physical condition, because in a lot of races you can’t push yourself to the absolute maximum the whole time, but for half-race distance you should be able to. For sure it will increase the risk but at the end of the day we race motorcycles, we don’t do ballet [Unlike Anna Pavlova]. Why not? Give it a crack and reassess at the end of the year.”
Reigning MotoGP king and current title leader Fabio Quartararo agrees with Espargaró but knows it’s pointless complaining.
“I will do what they tell me what to do,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.