MotoGP: between annoyance, fatalism and enthusiasm, the idea of ​​the 2023 sprint race does not leave you indifferent

The idea was in the air in MotoGP but not really considered before Hervé Poncharal let it go during the conference organized by KTM to announce the arrival of GasGas at Tech3 next year. In his enthusiasm, the French boss actually blurted out: “ MotoGP will evolve with a very exciting new format which could be announced by Carmelo and Carlos Ezpeleta very soon“. From there, the rumor of the establishment of a sprint race during the 2023 meetings became more than credible and all the more so on Saturday, the CEO of Dorna Sports, Carmelo Ezpeleta, the president of the FIM, Jorge Viegas, and the president of IRTA, Hervé Poncharal, will hold an exceptional press conference in Austria on Saturday at 11:45 a.m. local time…

MotoGP should therefore succumb to the charms of the sprint race in 2023. The aim is to further captivate the public to the discipline and it will be noted that the envisaged recipe is flourishing. The formula was adopted not only in Formula 1 but also in WSBK and BSB. That being said, we are among the Grand Prix elite and opinions on the subject are very divided. First there are the counters, the most opposite of which is undoubtedly fabio quartararo. The World Champion thus regrets both the substance and the form: “ I think it's stupid! I think the race is on Sunday. I don't know why we would do something on Saturday ". He also mentions: “ honestly, they didn't really ask us, and we all prepare intensely to have a good race on Sunday, but to have a sprint race on Saturday during all the races, I think it's stupid! ».

In echo we find the position of Jorge Martin : " I'm not particularly happy about this news because it's going to be very exhausting and stressful for everyone.. But for the show and MotoGP, it's definitely the right step he said. Pecco Bagnaia said : " the Sprint Race? The voice of the pilots must also count. It will definitely be harder mentally. I don’t know if I’ll like it or not, we’ll have to understand how and when it’s going to happen.” On this point he insists: “At the end of the day, we are here to race and there are other people who decide for us, as is the case in Formula 1. However, it's a pretty big decision and I didn't know anything about it until now. In some situations our voice should count at least a little «  . And he ends: “ If we had to do the Sprint race on Saturday and then the normal race on Sunday at a track like Austin, it wouldn't be easy. You can train as much as you want, but this circuit is devastating both physically and mentally. The Sprint Race is kind of a long run, but there are points to be won, so it’s totally different from FP4.”

Aleix Espargaró also delivered his version: “ First of all , they didn't ask us , but this is not the most important aspect. I want to understand how it works, I like running, but it takes time time de repair motorcycles . We already have FP1, FP2 and FP3 which are a kind of qualification, losing a session like FP4 before a race is a mistake"

There are also some who welcome the scenario. “ More races, more shows : I like the idea » says Jack Miller. Maverick Vinales comments at greater length: “ I've never driven a sprint race, so it was about time.  When I watch the World Superbike Championship races, it's a lot of fun. We just have to put on a good show, people have to enjoy the races. It will certainly be good for us because we put on soft tires and then push hard for ten laps. It's going to be very nice ». Enea Bastianini seems to be in the same mood: “ the Sprint Race can be a good thing, one more reason to do well. It can also be fun, especially like WSBK ».

Johann Zarco: “ it's fun to watch these sprint races in the Superbike category, so why not in the MotoGP category ? "

Et Johann zarco ? He makes a surgical analysis of the item: “ sprint races next year will be a real challenge. Very interesting, always a good show and enjoyable for viewers ", did he declare. " It's fun to watch these races in the Superbike category, so why not in the MotoGP category? I think we need to change our approach to racing, it will be a very exciting work for us ».

fabio quartararo, in its opposition, warned that this new format would be too taxing for organizations: “ already 21 races is too many and if you get injured you miss a lot. Entering a race on Saturday before another race is dangerous, especially because on weekends like in Assen and Mugello you come out very tired on Sunday ". His compatriot replies: “ almost all of us are very intelligent drivers, so we must be able to handle this. It might be very difficult for rookies because experience in a sprint race will be very important in the future. This will be an advantage for riders who have been riding the same bike for a long time quickly. ».

« In my opinion, there should be plenty of points because the effort is like in a normal race », added the Pramac team driver. “ It's shorter, but more exhausting during this time. I give this race the same priority, so there should be a tie on points ". Saturday at lunchtime, we should see things more clearly. For example, in Formula 1, the sprint race does not take place at all Grands Prix… And this is an aspect that makes the World Champion lenient: “ do it from time to time like in Formula 1, I think it could be interesting"...