Ought to MotoGP comply with WSBK and let dash races resolve the beginning grid?

MotoGP launched dash races at first of the 2023 season, considerably altering the sequence’ previous and confirmed weekend format.

Whereas the consensus stays that the transfer is successful, some really feel that it has taken consideration away from qualifying and made the schedule much more punishing for groups.

In an unique interview with Motorsport.com’s sister title Motorsport-Total.com , former KTM workforce supervisor Francesco Guidotti steered that the outcomes from the dash race must be used to find out the beginning grid for the grand prix. This could additionally make Friday’s second follow session much less demanding for these concerned.

The thought isn’t precisely new, because the dash race within the World Superbike Championship is used to kind the primary three rows for the second major race. Guidotti would love the MotoGP dash to resolve your complete beginning order of the grand prix.

“If I might change one thing, it might be qualifying. With the present format, we’ve to push very laborious on Friday afternoon. Nevertheless it’s solely Friday,” defined Guidotti.

“Saturday is just too demanding. Q1 and Q2 are very exhausting. Two hours later we have already got the dash race. I might change the qualifying format.

“If it have been as much as me, there could be a mixed qualifying session from the Friday afternoon and Saturday morning classes. This could outline the beginning grid for the dash. I might then use the results of the dash race for the beginning grid for the primary race.”

The dash race within the World Superbike Championship is used to kind the primary three rows of the grid for the second major race

Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs

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Despite the fact that qualifying is extra vital for riders and groups than up to now, resulting from overtaking being tougher than earlier than, media consideration is considerably decrease as a result of the dash takes place shortly after qualifying on Saturday.

“At the moment, qualifying is barely vital for 2 hours. It was vital from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon,” mentioned Guidotti.

“With the present format, the media focuses extra on the dash race than on qualifying. From a media perspective, qualifying is a giant danger for nearly nothing.”

One other criticism of the brand new format is that the dash is of little significance for riders operating outdoors the highest 9.

“In case you are not within the high 9, there isn’t a must push. It doesn’t matter for those who end P12 or P15. It makes no distinction. It could be completely different if it mattered for the beginning grid of the primary race,” he mentioned.

“One other benefit could be that the riders wouldn’t begin such dangerous strikes as a result of they might have to remember that they might be penalised for a fall with a foul beginning place. The entire weekend could be a bit extra balanced with this format.”