The Sprint race format was introduced this season in MotoGP and was widely successful with the audience. However, it continues to divide opinions among the riders, with many finding it too intense. Nevertheless, this hasn’t prompted Dorna to reconsider, as they aim to keep the concept unchanged in 2024.
The sporting director of the championship’s organizing body, Carlos Ezpeleta, argued to SPEEDWEEK.com that a single season isn’t enough to make a full evaluation of the format: ‘There’s always a measure of what is too much. I believe that 40 years ago, they would probably say that 18 races were too many. It depends on what you compare it with. We talk a lot with the riders, and they have a strong voice in the championship. […]. There are also other factors in the bikes. The differences are smaller than ever, and I think it’s a bit too early to have a full picture if this new format is only in place for one season. We will continue to talk with the riders and evaluate the format’.
When asked if there would be no changes to the Sprint races for 2024, he was clear: ‘No, we intend to continue with the format since it works very well – both with the on-site spectators and the viewers watching at home on television’.