The **MotoGP** weekend format is under intense scrutiny, and **Trackhouse Racing** team boss **Davide Brivio** isn't holding back. He believes the current structure places an unfair and detrimental emphasis on Friday sessions, stifling excitement and potentially derailing a rider's entire Grand Prix campaign.
Key Points on the Proposed MotoGP Format Changes:
- Davide Brivio criticizes the current **MotoGP** weekend, especially the dominant role of Friday sessions.
- He advocates for separate qualifying sessions for both the **Sprint Race** and the main **Grand Prix**.
- This change would inject more drama and fairness, preventing a single bad session from ruining a rider's weekend.
- **Brivio** also highlights **Liberty Media's** crucial role in elevating rider profiles and expanding **MotoGP's** global reach.
The Friday Conundrum: Why MotoGP's Weekend Needs a Rethink
Since the introduction of the **Sprint Race** in 2023, **MotoGP** Fridays have become a pressure cooker. Ten of the coveted **Q2** spots are decided in Friday practice, meaning a single misstep or technical issue can leave riders scrambling through **Q1** on Saturday.
This high-stakes Friday effectively dictates a rider's entire weekend trajectory, an issue **Brivio** finds problematic. With modern **MotoGP** bikes featuring advanced aerodynamics, track position is more critical than ever, making a poor qualifying outcome a significant handicap for both races.
"It's my personal opinion, but I don't like Friday afternoons, when you have to be in the top 10 already, and it affects the whole weekend," the Italian veteran stated, underscoring the frustration felt by many in the paddock.
Brivio's Bold Blueprint: Separate Qualifying for Maximum Thrills
Davide Brivio proposes a straightforward, yet impactful, solution: a complete overhaul of the qualifying structure. Instead of a single qualifying session dictating grids for both races, he suggests two distinct sessions.
Imagine: Friday could host qualifying specifically for Saturday's **Sprint Race**, offering immediate stakes. Then, a dedicated Saturday qualifying session would set the grid for Sunday's main **Grand Prix**. This would create two independent narratives and more opportunities for riders to shine.
This isn't a radical idea in motorsport. **Formula 1**, for instance, employs separate qualifying for its limited sprint events. **Brivio** argues that implementing this in **MotoGP** would not only boost excitement but also mitigate the risk of a rider's entire weekend being compromised by one challenging practice.
Liberty Media's Vision: Supercharging MotoGP's Global Appeal
With **Liberty Media** taking the reins of **MotoGP** from mid-2025, the air is thick with anticipation for significant changes, particularly in marketing and promotion. **Brivio**, having experience in both **F1** and **MotoGP**, acknowledges **Liberty's** proven track record.
While he believes the sporting side of **MotoGP** is already thrilling, he points to the immense potential for growth off-track. "What everyone expects, and what I believe **Liberty Media's** main objective is, to intervene in communication and marketing, to increase the audience and the fan base both in terms of numbers and geographic coverage," **Brivio** explained.
Expanding into new, vital markets like the **United States** is a clear goal. However, **Brivio** stresses that **Liberty** must craft bespoke strategies for **MotoGP**, rather than simply copying the **F1** playbook. Crucially, he emphasizes the need to elevate rider profiles, transforming them into charismatic global sports stars.
"Maybe we should have a little more charismatic riders who stand out. We need to work on that a little bit," **Brivio** concluded, highlighting that the riders remain at the very heart of **MotoGP's** spectacular appeal.
