As we anticpated a few weeks ago MotoGP will be getting a new qualifying format in 2013 and it was officially announced today at Motegi.
The idea behind the change is to make the session more exciting for viewing audiences as most of the action usually happens in the last 10-15 minutes, and it will also ensure that in mixed conditions during practice sessions- which the majority of the riders sit out sitting in their garages saving precious mileage on the engines and tires will be forced to do some laps if they want to qualify.
The new format will see two fifteen minute session with the riders divided into two groups based on the combined times of the three practice sessions.
Based on the combined times, the 10 fastest riders will go directly into QP2 while the rest will have battle it out in a 15 minute QP1 session, with only the 2 fastest riders from QP1 joining the first ten in the final 15 minute SP2, thus making it less hectic and crowded on track and there will also be less complaints regarding getting held up by slower riders that ruin fast laps.
To make up for the loss of first half an hour of the original 60 minute qualifying, where riders usually refine their set-ups, a new and fourth 30 minute practice session will be instated just before qualifying.
New Qualifying Procedure1.
The three existing sessions of free practice will be unchanged, however, the combined times from those sessions will determine participation in the final qualifying practice.
2.
The ten fastest riders will be seeded through to Qualifying Practice 2 (QP2).
3.
All other riders will take part in Qualifying Practice 1 (QP1).
4.
The fastest two riders in QP1 will progress to QP2, making a total of 12 riders competing for the first 12 grid positions.
5.
The riders not in the fastest two places in QP1 will take grid positions 13 and above according to their times in QP1.
’New Practice and Qualifying ScheduleDay One:Free Practice 1 45 Minutes (Unchanged) Timed for Qualifying ParticipationFree Practice 2 45 Minutes (Unchanged) Timed for Qualifying ParticipationDay Two:Free Practice 3 45 Minutes (Unchanged) Timed for Qualifying ParticipationFree Practice 4 30 Minutes (New) Not Timed for Qualifying ParticipationBreak 10 MinutesQualifying Practice 1 15 minutes (New)Break 10 Minutes Qualifying Practice 2 15 minutes (New)