A question of communication: MotoGP’s new schedule proved a hot topic

There had been sporadic reports from the MotoGP paddock that discussions were underway to ‘adapt’ the format and schedule of the race weekend. The most significant change was set to be the introduction of an additional qualifying session – just like in Formula 1. This makes sense, given that, with Liberty Media, the Americans have officially been holding the reins of MotoGP since 2026.

And just like that – there it was, the new master schedule for the 2027 season. Which in itself is no surprise, as it’s well known that the coming season will be a complete fresh start with new rules, a new tyre partner (Pirelli) and a completely reshuffled field of riders (the number of manufacturers, teams and riders remains unchanged). The new schedule follows suit.

As reported on SPEEWEEK.com just before the start of the Indonesian Grand Prix, there are two significant changes. On Friday, the top-flight drivers will take to the track three times, instead of once for 45 minutes (FP1) and once for an hour (qualifying). Following FP2, a short sprint qualifying session will round off the opening day. Here, all riders will battle it out for 15 minutes to determine the sprint starting grid. Excitement for the fans – because the session is now designated as qualifying. And it’s stressful for the riders, though it doesn’t differ significantly from the current format. After all, even today, all riders are giving it their all in the final session to secure direct entry into Q2. Perhaps even more so – because whoever makes it through directly is sure to be among the top 12 on Sunday.

Pecco Bagnaia wunderte sich über die Abschaffung der Warm-up-Session

Foto: Gold and Goose

The second major change is the scrapping of the warm-up on Sunday morning. “The warm-up was originally intended to identify or rectify any potential issues. However, tyre supplier Michelin has confirmed that the conditions on Sunday morning, with the current tyres, bear no resemblance to those during the race. That is why it should be possible to complete more laps immediately before the race. We will make that possible,” said MotoGP CEO Carlos Ezpeleta regarding the decision.

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However, the seemingly endless comments from the riders over the coming days were far less concerned with the new schedule than with the way the decision was communicated. Yes – there were serious comments from top riders such as Pecco Bagnaia, Pedro Acosta and Luca Marini regarding rider safety, but also from the fans’ perspective (no action on the track on Sunday morning) – yet the real cause for upset was something else.

For it was not the MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, spurred on by the US event professionals Liberty Media, that had rewritten the schedule. According to Ezpeleta, the initiative came from the teams themselves. The general sentiment was that the teams are MotoGP’s business partners, not the riders. True, according to the contracts.

As is so often the case, the riders felt – and still feel – left in the lurch. After all, the riders weren’t consulted. Let alone did the idea to scrap the warm-up session originate from a rider.

As is so often the case in professional motor racing, there are two sides to this. It is understandable that the heroes in the arena would like to have their say. After all, they are the ones who make the carbon brakes glow at speeds of over 350 km/h and battle it out elbow to elbow. Viewed objectively, however, the riders are merely employees of the teams – or, at best, the manufacturers – and are contractually obliged to follow the procedures. After all, that’s what their substantial pay cheques are for. Even at a track day, the schedule is set by the organiser, not the participant.

And yet, issues relating to change remain sensitive. The only thing that would help is a master plan for communication. But that is something that has yet to be devised – and not just in MotoGP.