In 2023, the course of the Grands Prix will be significantly overhauled with a new format implemented through a new program, which will classify the previous title races in the archives. We must be convinced, another championship will open with this new menu likely to reveal drivers whose style until then was a handicap, because it did not bring in any points. But this time, you will have to be explosive from the first round, endure throughout a grueling campaign and know your equipment well. In hindsight, looking at these ingredients, Johann Zarco said to himself that he would make a good recipe...
In 2023, in MotoGP, each day will be identified as a build-up towards the final bouquet of the Sunday Grand Prix. We will no longer mix objectives. So, Friday's will be in Q2. Then on Saturday morning, we will have to qualify and, from 15:00 p.m., we start the race. Sprint style first, over half the distance of the main contest, with points up for grabs. Finally, the Grand Prix will be the highlight of a Sunday where the public is promised communion with its heroes.
On paper, it looks like this:
Friday program :
09:00: 35 min Moto3 Testing 1
09:50: 40 min Moto2 Testing 1
10:45 a.m.: 45 min MotoGP 1 testing
13:15: 35 min Moto3 Testing 2
14:05: 40 min Moto2 Testing 2
15:00 a.m.: 60 min MotoGP 2 testing
Saturday program :
08:40: 30 min Moto3 free practice
09:25: 30 min Moto2 free practice
10:10 a.m.: 30 min MotoGP free practice
10:50 a.m.: 15 min MotoGP 1 qualifying
11:15 a.m.: 15 min MotoGP Qualifying 2
12:55 p.m.: 15 min Moto3 Qualifying 1
13:20 p.m.: 15 min Moto3 Qualifying 2
13:50 p.m.: 15 min Moto2 Qualifying 1
14:15 p.m.: 15 min Moto2 Qualifying 2
15:00 p.m.: Half distance GP Race Sprint
Sunday program :
09:40: 10 minutes Warm Up MotoGP
10:00 a.m.: 30 minutes MotoGP Riders Fan Show
11:00 p.m.: Moto3 race
12:15 p.m.: Moto2 race
14:00 p.m.: MotoGP race
And for the sprint race, the promised points harvest is organized as follows :
1st place: 12
2nd place: 9
3nd place: 7
4nd place: 6
5nd place: 5
6nd place: 4
7nd place: 3
8nd place: 2
9nd place: 1
Johann Zarco will have cards to play in this new game
A format that does not appeal to all pilots. First of all, as a matter of principle, Aleix Espargaró which insists on what the new constraints will be with 42 starts in 21 Grands Prix, including for team members. Then there are those who will have to discover a new discipline like Augusto Fernandez, who will have no downtime to study his data, which will also be the case for those who will have to understand everything about a new motorcycle. And this will be the situation at KTM, Aprilia et Honda.
And then there are those who are not necessarily enthusiastic at first but who, after reflection, realize that they cannot be against it. This is for example the case of John Zarco whose words on the subject are thus read on motorsport total : " we didn't all agree, but we'll have to get used to it. It's probably human nature to complain first, then deal with it ».
Then the Frenchman said: “ personally, I think it's good that only Friday counts for qualifying for Q2. This should mainly suit riders who have a lot of experience, have a fast bike and use it well ". So many boxes that the double Moto2 world champion could tick himself…
