New Sprint‑Qualifying Format Divides Riders
MotoGP has announced a schedule revamp that introduces a dedicated qualifying session for sprint races, adding another layer of pressure to the already packed Thursday‑Sunday circuit.
The format change, confirmed alongside the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) on Wednesday, has split the grid. Francesco Bagnaia and Luca Marini see the addition as “interesting,” while Marc Marquez warns it will only increase rider fatigue and risk.
Marquez Voices Caution, Rejects Confrontation
During the official press conference at Mandalika, Marquez stated, “what is interesting is knowing the objective of this change because for the riders it will simply be more demanding.”
He refrained from attending the Safety Commission meeting at Motegi, where deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta explained the rationale to a limited rider audience.
Accidentally highlighted that the championship and teams set decisions, leaving riders with minimal input: “The format has been changed, it has been made official, and the riders have had very little information about it.”
Need for a Riders’ Voice Grows Clearer Than Ever
All drivers agree the grid lacks sufficient representation, a problem that has echoed for three years. Attempts to form an association stalled when costs seemed unjustifiable.
In contrast, Formula 1 benefits from the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), chaired by former driver Alexander Wurz, with Carlos Sainz and George Russell on its board.
Marquez, as an experienced champion, is often viewed as the natural leader of such an effort, though he argues active competitors cannot simultaneously lead a riders’ commission: “While you are an active rider, it is impossible to lead a riders’ commission.”
He noted that the sport’s average age is very young and many riders focus on personal interests, yet he recognizes that long‑term safety and career longevity are shared goals across the grid.
Looking Forward: A Unified Driver Body on the Horizon
Despite current divisions, the consensus points toward forming an association similar to Formula 1’s model. “Sooner or later, the association will be formed, as happens in Formula 1,” Marquez concluded, hinting at an eventual, cohesive rider voice.
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