MotoGP has a new scheme for the 2023 season. Dorna Sports as the organizer released the schedule that must be followed by the racers every week. The arrival of the Sprint Race changed the agenda a little.
In 2023, there will be 21 rounds in MotoGP. However, with the presence of the Sprint Race, premier class racers must undergo a total of 42 races.
With the presence of the Sprint Race, now there are only three training sessions or practice (P). Two practices took place on Friday, and one free practice (FP) session on Saturday at 10.10 local time.
As a comparison, in the previous MotoGP event, the FP1, FP2 and FP3 time records would determine the Qualification 1 (Q1) and Qualification 2 (Q2) sessions. But in the new format, the time taken to enter the qualifying session will be taken from sessions P1 and P2.
In the old format, the FP4 session was usually used by teams and riders to find motorbike settings so they could fight in the qualifying session. Now the session is in the FP session which is being held on Saturday at 10.10 local time.
Starting determination
The start of the Sprint Race was determined based on the results of Q1 and Q2 which were held on Saturday at 10.50 - 11.15 WIB local time.
In the 2023 MotoGP calendar, the Sprint Race is only held in the main MotoGP class. This race takes place on Saturday at 15.00 local time.
Regarding the number of laps, the Sprint Race will only take half a lap from the main race. For example, MotoGP Mandalika races for 27 laps, then the Sprint Race lasts for about 13 laps.
The results of the Sprint Race will not change the start of the main race, which is still taken based on qualifying results. The main race agenda schedule takes place on Sunday at 14.00 local time.
There are parades
A total change occurred in the warm-up lap or warm-up session, now only the MotoGP class gets warm-up rations.
Interestingly after the warm-up there was a new agenda "Rider Fan Show" which was held for 30 minutes. This method has been used in Formula 1, where drivers greet fans in the circuit stands.
MotoGP 2023 schedule every weekend:
Friday
Practice 1 Moto3: 09.00
Practice 1 Moto2: 09.50
Practice 1 MotoGP: 10.45
Practice 2 Moto3: 13.15
Practice 2 Moto2: 14.05
Practice 2 MotoGP: 15.00
Saturday
Practice 3 Moto3: 08.40
Practice 3 Moto2: 09.25
MotoGP Free Practice: 10.10
Qualifying 1 MotoGP: 10.50
Qualifying 2 MotoGP: 11.15
Qualifying 1 Moto3: 12.55
Qualifying 2 Moto3: 13.20
Qualifying 1 Moto2: 13.50
Qualifying 2 Moto2: 14.15
MotoGP Sprint Race: 15.00
Sunday
MotoGP warm-up: 09.45
MotoGP Rider Fan Show: 10.00
Race Moto3: 11.00
Race Moto2: 12.15
MotoGP races: 14.00