Here's the thing about modern grand prix racing: whenever a championship starts eyeing up the other paddock for inspiration, the riders usually end up paying the price. As Motorsport.com Italia reports, the organization behind the premier class is currently discussing a massive shake-up to the sporting regulations for 2027. The plan, which is actively being debated by the promoter, manufacturers, and teams inside the paddock at the circuit of Spielberg, would introduce a second timed qualifying session into the weekend schedule, borrowing a page straight from Formula 1.
Since the introduction of short races in 2023, a single qualifying session on Saturday morning has set the grid for both the Sprint and the main grand prix. Under this advanced new proposal, however, each race would feature its own independent qualifying session. While some figures like Marc Marquez have chosen to stay quiet until any rule changes are officially confirmed, other champions have zero hesitation in speaking their minds.
Saturday is already a very complicated day. We have a lot of stress,
Fabio Quartararo and Pecco Bagnaia are far from thrilled with the prospect of an even more crowded agenda. "If the organization wants to do like in F1, then let them take away several Sprints," Quartararo joked, pointing out the stark contrast in the number of short races compared to the series, which features a Sprint at every single round. The Yamaha rider, who will race with Honda next year, did not mince words about the current physical and mental toll. "Our schedule is very intense. The level of stress we have is brutal, and also the risk, especially at the starts," he added.
Despite his clear frustration, the rider from Nice sounded utterly resigned to the reality of how the championship is run. "They already introduced the Sprints without consulting us first. We are here to race. If they tell us to do 22 Sprints, we do them. If they tell us to do 12, we will do 12. We are not the riders who decide what needs to be done," El Diablo emphasized.
Bagnaia echoed those exact sentiments, arguing that the weekend schedule is already punishing enough without adding extra competitive pressure. "Saturday is already a very complicated day. We have a lot of stress," the Ducati rider noted. He suggested a clever alternative if the organization is desperate to decouple the two grids: using the fastest lap from each Sprint to determine the starting order for the main grand prix.
"I don't know what solution can be adopted, because moving the Sprint qualifying to Friday I don't think is the right thing. But, at the same time, adding another practice session on Saturday I don't think it is either," Bagnaia concluded, offering a compromise that aligns with his fellow world champion. In their view, if a second qualifying session must be forced in, the calendar should at least see a reduction in the total number of Sprints throughout the year.
