The MotoGP class as the premier class of the motorcycle world championship will have a slightly different weekend format in the upcoming 2024 season than is the case in the current 2023 season. Specifically, it is about which training sessions are decisive for the assignment to the two qualifying segments (Q1 and Q2).
In a meeting scheduled at short notice on Thursday at the TT Circuit Assen, it was decided that from the 2024 MotoGP season it would only be decided in the second Friday practice session which ten riders would qualify directly for Q2 on Saturday and which would have to compete in Q1. In the current 2023 season, the top 10 of the combined time list from the two Friday training sessions will be used.
The fact that from 2024 only the result of the second practice session will be used as the basis for the qualifying segments will have an impact. Because the first practice session (Friday morning) will then be a classic free practice session, in which the MotoGP riders can work on setting up their bikes in peace and quiet without having the pressure to do a fast lap.
“I don’t like the way it is at the moment, that we have to set a timer right in the first practice session,” says Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia.
The reigning MotoGP World Champion and current leader of the standings is speaking on behalf of many of his fellow riders. “Instead of being able to develop a strategy for the race, you have to think about whether you can make it into the top 10 in the morning. This pressure shouldn’t really be there,” says Bagnaia.
Meanwhile, Miguel Oliveira goes one step further in his deliberations. He would appreciate it if none of the Friday practice sessions mattered in terms of qualifying, just Saturday practice instead. “That would be interesting because then we would have all Friday to try new parts or different set-ups,” he says.
It’s now clear: it won’t happen the way Oliveira would like it to. “Whatever the format, we as drivers have to adapt to it and make the best of it,” says the RNF Aprilia driver.
Name change for first workout – New duration for third workout
In order to clarify the changes to the weekend format decided on Thursday in Assen, the first practice session from the 2024 MotoGP season is officially called the first free practice session (FT1). It is therefore equal to the Saturday training (FT3) in terms of weighting.
In contrast, the second training is still officially called the second training (T2), i.e. without the addition “free” in the name. At the same time, it was decided that the duration of FT3 on Saturday mornings would be reduced from 45 minutes to 30 minutes starting with the 2024 season.
Originally, the changes were intended to be pushed through for the second half of the current 2023 MotoGP season. However, because no unanimity was reached in the ranks of the manufacturers’ association (MSMA), the changes will only take effect from the start of the 2024 season.