MotoGP sprint, rider parade and at the same time less track time for Moto3 and Moto2 – A move to payTV in Germany would be more problematic
MotoGP promoter Dorna Sport has changed the schedule of the premier class for 2023. Already on Friday it will be clear who has qualified directly for Q2. Qualifying and the new sprint race will take place on Saturday. The focus is on the promotion of the premier class.
Will this push the other classes into the background? MotoE will not take place at all on Sunday. The Moto3 and Moto2 class warm-ups have been cancelled on Sunday to make room for the MotoGP riders’ parade.
Some of the practice sessions were also shortened. On Friday, the Moto3 class will only have 35 minutes of track time twice, compared to 40 minutes twice last year. The Saturday morning practice was shortened by ten minutes for Moto3.
For Moto2, the length of the two Friday practice sessions remained the same. On Saturday morning, however, they too have only 30 minutes of track time instead of 40 minutes. In addition, the warm-up sessions have been cancelled.
Compared to 2022, Moto3 will have half an hour less on the track. In Moto2, the reduction is 20 minutes over the entire weekend. The race distances have also been shortened slightly.
Will the smaller classes be pushed even further behind MotoGP? “I can’t confirm it one hundred per cent like that”, “Of course we notice that we have less track time.”
“But I can’t confirm everything else like that. So the help and the subsidies from IRTA are more than before. But of course it is clear that the time is limited. Of course that’s due to the schedule on Saturday, that there are sprint races and two MotoE races. “
Because the practice sessions, qualifying sessions and races of the MotoE as well as framework series such as the Rookies Cup also have to be accommodated in the tightly-packed schedule of the three days.
“As I said, I can’t confirm that we are being treated worse,” Lingg stressed. “It’s like it’s always been, except that we get a bit more support.” IntactGP is represented in the Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE classes.
With regard to Germany, it is still open where the races will be shown next year. Since ServusTV is discontinuing its linear TV channel in Germany at the end of the year, Dorna is looking for new TV partners. Details are still not known.
It is also open whether the small classes will continue to be shown on free TV or could disappear into pay TV. “Of course, this is a problem for us, especially for our partners,” Lingg worries.
Because the visibility would be significantly reduced for the small classes on payTV, which would make it more difficult to find sponsors in the medium term. “That’s already buzzing around in our heads. ServusTV is doing a great job, it doesn’t get any better than that,” Lingg praises the current TV partner. “That’s why we hope that a proper contract will be concluded. “
