From 2019, the Moto2™ and Moto3™ classes will follow the same qualifying structure as the MotoGP™ class, with Qualifying 1 and Qualifying 2 being introduced next season.
The aim? To prepare the riders rising through the ranks for the format, if they end up riding in the premier class. See below for more information:
The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Paul Duparc (FIM), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), in an electronic meeting held on 17 November 2018 made the following decision:
Standard Schedule for Events – Effective Season 2019
Format of Qualifying Practice in Moto2™ and Moto3™ classes
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. 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.
Riders in Moto2™ and Moto3™, will continue to have three Free Practice sessions. 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 4 riders that participate in both Qualifying 1 and 2 will be allowed to use one extra rear, soft tyre.
The standard schedule for Sunday will remain unchanged. The new standard schedule for Friday and Saturday will be: