MotoGP Explained: Format, Schedule, Rules and Regulations Explained

"MotoGP Bharat," India's first MotoGP race, is set to be the country's first-ever top-tier motorcycle racing event, taking place from September 22 to 24 at the Buddh International Circuit. In the meantime, here's a closer look at the MotoGP format, schedule, and rules and regulations.

The Grand Prix motorcycle racing series, sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), is the highest level of motorcycle track racing competitions. There have been autonomous motorcycle racing championships since the beginning of the century, and important national competing events have regularly made use of the name Grand Prix. After the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme was created in 1949 as the world's official motorcycle sport governing organisation, rules and regulations were set in place. India is one of the biggest two-wheeler markets, and Dorna Sports, the championship's promoters, has recognised it as a key one. "MotoGP Bharat," which is slated to be India's first MotoGP race ever, will be the country's first-ever top-level motorcycle racing event, scheduled to take place from September 22 to 24 at the Buddh International Circuit. Till then, here's a closer look at the format, schedule, and rules and regulations pertaining to MotoGP.

Also Read: MotoGP Bharat GP: Here’s When, Where and How to Watch Indian GP in India

MotoGP Bharat GP: Format

A rider must first set a time that is equal to or better than 107% of the quickest rider's best time from any practice session in order to participate in the qualifying rounds. The second, 60-minute practice session on Friday (now referred to as Practice) is the only practice session timed for entry into Q2 following a change by the Grand Prix Commission in mid-July over which sessions were timed for qualifying/admission into Qualifying 2. The top 10 riders will advance directly to Q2, while the remaining riders must contend for the opportunity to start in Q1. The top two riders from Q1 advance to Q2, while the remaining riders start from position 13 on the grid.

Depending on their timings, riders will start the race from Q1 or Q2, accordingly. Those who have advanced past Q1 will start at the back, with the 12 in Q2 going first. If a rider fails to finish in the allotted time, they will automatically start at the back, or if they qualified for Q2, they will start from 12th position. The cumulative times of the riders' training runs will be used to break ties if multiple riders fail to set the necessary time or set the exact same time. If one or both qualifying rounds are postponed, the starting line order will, as is typical, be established using the best-combined timings achieved during the training sessions. The poleman will occupy the first spot on the track, and this spot will be chosen based on the terms that were decided upon during the circuit's approval. At the moment, the MotoGP starting grids are organised into step-like rows, with three riders in each row and nine metres of distance between them.

MotoGP Bharat GP: Schedule

Indian Grand Prix Timings: MotoGP

Thursday, September 21

MotoGP GearUP - 03:00 pm

MotoGP Podcast - 03:05 pm

MotoGP Pre-Event Press Conference 1 - 04:00 pm

MotoGP Pre-Event Press Conference 2 - 04:35 pm

Friday, September 22

BharatGP MotoGP Free Practice Nr. 1 - 11:45 am

BharatGP MotoGP Practice - 04:30 pm

Saturday, September 23

BharatGP MotoGP Free Practice Nr. 2 - 10:40 am

BharatGP MotoGP Qualifying - 11:20 am

BharatGP MotoGP Sprint - 03:30 pm

Sunday, September 24

BharatGP MotoGP Race - 3:30 pm

Indian Grand Prix Timings: Moto2

Friday, September 22

BharatGP Moto2 Practice Nr. 1 - 10:35 am

BharatGP Moto2 Practice Nr. 2 - 02:50 pm

Saturday, September 23

BharatGP Moto2 Practice Nr. 3 - 09:55 am

BharatGP Moto2 Qualifying - 01:20 pm

Sunday, September 24

BharatGP Moto2 Race - 01:45 pm

Indian Grand Prix Timings: Moto3

Friday, September 22

BharatGP Moto3 Practice Nr. 1 - 09:30 am

BharatGP Moto3 Practice Nr. 2 - 01:45 pm

Saturday, September 23

BharatGP Moto3 Practice Nr. 3 - 09:10 am

BharatGP Moto3 Qualifying - 01:20 pm

Sunday, September 24

BharatGP Moto3 Race - 12:30 pm

Also Read: MotoGP Bharat GP: Here’s How to Book a Ticket for India’s First Motorcycle Grand Prix Race

MotoGP Bharat GP: Rules and Technical Regulations

MotoGP riders now get two lengthier free practice sessions on Friday, 45 minutes for FP1 and 1 hour for FP2, thanks to the addition of a sprint race on Saturday afternoon. The top ten finishers throughout these two sessions advance directly into Q2. Since the times set in FP3 do not contribute toward qualifying, it becomes equivalent to FP4. The 10 drivers already chosen for Q2, which determines the grid for both the Saturday afternoon sprint race and the Sunday Grand Prix, will be joined by the two fastest drivers in Q1. The riders are positioned in three rows. A rider must have recorded a time that is at least 107% of the top driver's time in order to be eligible to qualify.

The 1000cc models are used for the MotoGP World Championship. For the entire season, each rider can use 7 engines. Since 2017, the championship promoter has employed a single electronic management system that is used by all teams. A maximum of 22 litre of fuel can be carried by each bike, and each rider is given a limited number of tyres.