From this year there is a new innovation in the long established Grand Prix format for motorcycle racing. On Saturday afternoons before each Grand Prix, there are now additional short-distance sprint races, which are just half the distance of the actual Grand Prix. These new races are exactly half the normal race distance, where the lap distance of the GP has an even number of laps and rounded down one, where it is odd.

Qualifying will still set the GP grid, as it always has, with times in the first two practice sessions deciding which riders go straight to Q2 qualifying and which will have to take part in the Q1 shoot out. The sprint races won't affect the main MotoGP grid starting positions, but half points will be given to the first nine sprint finishers, although sprint race wins won't count towards Grand Prix win records and will be classified separately.

Fine Detail
The fuel allowance for the sprints is greater than for the GP races proper - riders get 12 litres of fuel for the half distance to be raced, as opposed to the 22 they're allowed for the full race. Tyre rules are the same as for the full race distance and they are allowed three breaches of the track limit in each sprint before they get a penalty, unlike the five for the full race. What will the effect of this be? Well the racers could either be spurred on to give it their all for the extra points, or not feel it is worth pushing the boat out for small returns - which of these will happen still remains to be seen as the season progresses, and will probably be approached differently by each rider, depending on their personalities.

Reactions So Far...
So how will this affect MotoGP riders in general and how do they feel about it so far? Well there is a mixed reaction of course. Some riders welcome the sprints but for some they are a bone of contention.  The new schedule required to fit in the sprint races before each GP race, means that there is less practice and set up time for the GP race teams and the sprints will be taking place at all 21 race weekends.

Dorna, the organisers, obviously want to add to the excitement and get more people watching the thrilling sprints, but maybe it would have been politic to consult riders before bringing in such swingeing changes and adding in more races in which they have to compete. The changed race format means there won't be as much practice time for riders, the potential for falls is increased, with the extra racing and manufacturers will have less time to test any new parts or changes they have made to race machines and get the set up just right.

Exciting?
However, in the long term, the races could prove very exciting for spectators, with less need for tyre and fuel management due to the short nature of the sprints, and the results have no impact on the riders' eventual starting position. The flip side being the risk of crashing out in the sprints and then missing the main event, all just for a handful of points.

Practice Makes Perfect
In previous years there were two opportunities for practice, one on Saturday morning and one just before the afternoon qualifier, but trying to shoehorn a sprint into this busy day means that there is now only time for one practice session.

The sprint races are just three hours after qualifying and then the Sunday race day reverts to its original format and the riders line up in the same grid positions for the race to go ahead as normal.

Certainly the addition of sprints is a big change to an old format and it remains to be seen throughout the season whether it will prove a favourite amongst crowds, riders and race teams or be a bridge too far.

Any thoughts on this? Do you relish watching the sprints or think it is a terrible idea?

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