Trackhouse team boss Davide Brivio questions the current MotoGP weekend format – his suggestion: separate qualifying sessions for the sprint and Grand Prix
Davide Brivio is calling for a fundamental reform of the current MotoGP weekend format: Friday currently carries too much sporting weight, and a single poor practice session can ruin the entire race weekend.
The Trackhouse team boss’s proposal: separate qualifying sessions for the sprint and Grand Prix with two different starting grids and more excitement throughout the weekend.
Since 2023, MotoGP has been running a sprint on Saturday in addition to the Grand Prix on every race weekend. Unlike in Formula 1, where sprint events only take place on selected occasions and separate qualifying sessions are held, in MotoGP a single, two-part qualifying session determines the starting positions for both races.
In addition, ten of the twelve places for Q2 are already allocated on Friday. Those who are not fast enough there have to go through Q1 on Saturday. Due to the greatly increased dependence on aerodynamics, the starting position is more important than ever. Overtaking is becoming increasingly difficult due to the turbulent air created by the car in front.
Brivio wants to abolish pre-qualifying on Friday
This is precisely where Brivio sees a need for action. In his opinion, a separate sprint qualifying session on Friday and a separate qualifying session for the main race would spread the risk and make the sporting event more varied.
“This is my personal opinion, but I don’t like Friday afternoons when you already have to be in the top 10, and that affects the whole weekend,”
“Friday should be sprint qualifying, and then there should be a real qualifying session for Sunday’s race, so you have two different starting grids and the weekend isn’t ruined if something goes wrong on Friday afternoon,” suggests the experienced MotoGP team boss.
“In my opinion, that would also be more spectacular, generate more interest, and there would be more results to follow over the weekend.”
Since Liberty Media took over the racing series in mid-2025, there has been intense discussion in the paddock about new growth and marketing strategies. However, simply copying the successful Formula 1 model is considered unlikely. Instead, specially tailored solutions are needed. Brivio, who has himself worked in Formula 1, sees significant potential for MotoGP to develop internationally, particularly in the US, but also in other markets. At the same time, he believes that the riders, as the main protagonists of the racing series, need to be positioned more prominently in the public eye.
Don’t copy Formula 1, but use it as a source of ideas
“What everyone expects and what I believe is Liberty Media’s main goal is to intervene in communication and marketing in order to increase the audience and fan base, both in terms of numbers and geographical coverage,” says Brivio.
This also involves expanding into continents where the sport is not yet very present. “There is a lot of talk about the United States,” says the Italian, “but the world is big, and the further we expand, the better.”
Liberty Media has done “very good work” in Formula 1. “And I believe we have ideas and strategies to transfer this model to MotoGP.”
But Brivio also warns: “You can’t just copy Formula 1 and MotoGP. There are differences, but the experience from Formula 1 will be helpful. Some things will inspire the activities here, that’s what we expect.”
“From a sporting point of view, what we show on the track already works very well. The races are spectacular, so we are constantly promoting and marketing them. Maybe we need a few more charismatic riders who stand out more. We need to work on that a little,” admits the team boss.
