A possible solution to MotoGP’s

Sprint predictability ...

and sponsorship issues

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BY ANTHONY CONROY

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Two years ago, Dorna and MotoGP looked to its four-wheel sister series for inspiration in an effort to attract new fans, add drama to race weekends, and, ultimately, bring in more revenue to the world’s most prestigious prototype motorcycle series.

 

The decision was made to include a sprint race format, which has worked successfully for Formula 1. After two years in MotoGP, however, the he sprint format has failed to live up to its promise of creating drama or even exciting action.

 

In the beginning, the sprints promised tighter racing with fewer laps, more risk-taking and better chances for the slower bikes to compete on a more level playing field.

 

Instead, it’s shown us that the gap between the haves and have nots is as wide as ever and may even discourage risk taking because a sprint race injury — even a minor one — can threaten a rider’s chance participating in the next day’s full race. The chances of being injured in a MotoGP sprint are even greater considering that each MotoGP weekend includes a sprint, unlike F1, which runs sprints in just a quarter of its race weekends.

 

If MotoGP really wants to make a statement with its sprint races, then it’s time for some out of the box thinking.

 

What if?

 

Currently, riders spend early Saturdays qualifying, and their qualifying position ensures their place on the grid for both the sprint and full race.

 

If we really wanted to make the sprints interesting and give the slower riders a better chance to shine, then why not flip the script? Instead of running the sprint in the order in which each rider qualified, run them in the opposite order.

 

Qualifying would still be the standard for the full/main race, but what’s the harm in shaking things up for the sprint? 

 

Let the slowest riders on the grid start at the front and force the fastest riders — especially those motivated to score points — to make their way through the field.

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With that format, April's sprint at the Circuit of the Americas would’ve featured a front row of Luca Savadori, Somkiat Chandra, and Augusto Fernandez. The back row would've been made up of Marc Marquez, Fabio DiGiannantonio, and Alex Marquez.

 

During COTA’s 10-lap sprint, Marc Marquez, who finished first, was 37.989 seconds ahead of last-place finisher Savadori. 

 

For a series starved for excitement, how thrilling would it have been to watch Marquez -- who barely broke a sweat in the sprint -- bully his way through the field in pursuit of riders like Savadori and Chantra? Would they have withered seeing the likes of Marquez, his brother Alex, or two-time champ Pecco Bagnaia stampeding their way to the front? Would there be enough laps for the sprint “backmarkers” to surpass the slower riders up front?

 

Personally, I can think of no better way to inject excitement into what otherwise is a duller, shorter version of the main race.

 

Critics might argue that this proposal would remove the incentive for slower riders to push during qualifying. In its current configuration, however, those riders qualify in a predictable order regardless of how hard they push. So why not see what happens by putting them in the front?

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Honestly, would it really hurt if we saw a different crop of riders leading a race and maybe scoring a few points? As for the top riders, they’re still incentivized to have better qualifying results, as that would determine their place for the full race.

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Solving MotoGP's sponsorship issues

 

It's no secret that MotoGP is having problems with attracting new sponsors, and it's not like the expense of running the series will become more affordable, regardless of how the Liberty deal pans out.

 

What do sponsors and advertisers want? To be seen. To be mentioned. It's all about airtime.

 

No doubt, having different bikes and riders competing at the front of the grid -- even if only briefly -- would attract some sponsors and advertisers. Who could blame sponsors from shying away from MotoGP? Some bikes, teams and riders go entire weekends with barely a mention -- not in the news, not on social media, and definitely not during MotoGP's official broadcast.

 

Other critics might also argue that there’s a safety issue forcing faster bikes to try to plow through a field of slower ones. Really? If that’s the case, then why put those bikes on the track at all?

 

With tire pressure rules and penalties and the proliferation of aero and mechanical devices, Dorna has sapped some of the excitement from its own series. Changing the format of the sprint would definitely put a wheel in the right direction. 

 

Anthony Conroy is a journalist and longtime MotoGP fan based in Pittsburgh, Pa., USA.