MotoGP bosses have today announced changes to the Moto2 and Moto3 qualifying format which will bring them into line with the blue riband class.

Riders in Moto2 and Moto3 will continue to have three free practice sessions, and the fastest 14 riders from the combined standings will qualify directly for Qualifying 2. The other riders will compete in Qualifying 1 and the four fastest riders will join the other 14 in Qualifying 2.

For both Moto2 and Moto3 the free practice sessions will last 40 minutes, and both qualifying sessions will have a duration of 15 minutes.
The four riders that participate in both Qualifying 1 and 2 will be allowed to use one extra rear, soft tyre.

“After discussion with teams and reviewing the current situation in Moto3, with many riders waiting and riding slowly and considering the experience in Moto2 at various races where the fastest times have been set at the beginning of the Qualifying Practice, it has been decided to change to a qualifying format similar to that of the MotoGP Class,” said an FIM statement.

“It is expected that this system will also bring a more entertaining format for the fans as well as preparing the young riders for the same system of classification as the premier Class. This will also make for a homogenous qualifying format across all Grand Prix classes.”