MotoGP Austria: Sprint races confirmed for 2023

Sprint races will be added to the MotoGP schedule for every round in 2023 in a bid to raise the visibility and popularity of the championship.

Unlike similar additions in both Formula One and WorldSBK, the Saturday afternoon sprint races will have no bearing on Sunday’s feature race grid, with qualifying and the all-important shootout for pole position remaining as it currently stands. While half points will be awarded for the new half-distance contest.

One talking point in the Austrian paddock was the confusion of the premier class riders, who were neither informed or consulted on the new schedule before the ideas were leaked to the media, with reaction to the 2023 plans met with mixed opinions.

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta explained “We need more spectators and a better show,” before IRTA boss and Tech3 team manager Herve Poncharal confirmed that mileage across the weekend will stay the same - thereby no extension to engine allocation with Michelin in discussions regarding tyres - but the full details and schedules are yet to be finalised.

More to follow