A new format has been included in the MotoGP World Championship 2023, which began with the Portuguese Grand Prix.
Sprint races will take place in 2023, following the successful introduction of sprints in another motorsport series, Formula 1, in recent years.
However, the key difference here is regularity, with MotoGP sprint races taking place at every Grand Prix this season, offering a sliding scale of points for the first nine finishers.
"If last year it was important to start in front in qualifying, now it's even more important because we are going to start twice," predicted GasGas Factory Racing's Pol Espargaro. "We are going to see the top speed of all the manufacturers. The ones who adapt best are the ones who are going to win."
Here's how sprint races will work, how many points are on offer for competitors, the 2023 MotoGP calendar and more.
MORE: MotoGP schedule 2023: Dates, start times, TV channels and how to watch every race
MotoGP sprint race schedule
The Sprint race will take place at 3 p.m. local time on the Saturday afternoon of race weekends.
It will not replace the two usual qualifying sessions, which will exclusively decide the grid for both the sprint and Sunday races.
The two Friday practice sessions will be extended from their 45-minute duration, with the combined times used to determine direct access to qualifying session two, instead of waiting until after the third free practice on Saturday morning.
MotoGP sprint race rules
The race will last approximately half the distance of the full race, with half of the points awarded to the top nine riders.
There will be a 15-minute grid procedure. Otherwise, the rules will be the same as the full-length Grand Prix the following day.
How many points are awarded for MotoGP sprint races?
Here's how the points table looks for the sprint race.
| Position | Points |
| 1st | 12 |
| 2nd | 9 |
| 3rd | 7 |
| 4th | 6 |
| 5th | 5 |
| 6th | 4 |
| 7th | 3 |
| 8th | 2 |
| 9th | 1 |
MotoGP schedule 2023
In total, there are 18 scheduled events on the MotoGP docket for 2023, representing another all-time high for the calendar.
The Finland GP, which was cancelled in 2022 due to the "geopolitical situation", will again not take place in 2023.
Here's the latest schedule (subject to change):
| Date | Race | Track | Start time (ET) | Winner (Rider) | Winner (Team) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 5-7 | Shakedown test | Sepang International Circuit | — | — | — |
| February 10-12 | Sepang test | Sepang International Circuit | — | — | — |
| March 11-12 | Portimao test | Autodromo Internacional do Algarve | 9 a.m. | — | — |
| March 24-26 | Portuguese GP | Autodromo Internacional do Algarve | 9 a.m. | Francesco Bagnaia | Ducati Lenovo |
| March 31-April 2 | Argentina GP | Termas de Rio Hondo | 1 p.m. | Marco Bezzecchi | VR46 Racing Team |
| April 14-16 | Americas GP | Circuit of the Americas | 3 p.m. | Alex Rins | LCR Honda |
| April 28-30 | Spanish GP | Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto | 9 a.m. | Francesco Bagnaia | Ducati Lenovo |
| May 1 | Jerez test | Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto | — | — | — |
| May 12-14 | French GP | Le Mans | 8 a.m. | Marco Bezzecchi | VR46 Racing Team |
| June 9-11 | Italian GP | Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello | 8 a.m. | Francesco Bagnaia | Ducati Lenovo Team |
| June 16-18 | German GP | Sachsenring | 8 a.m. | Jorge Martín | Prima Pramac Racing |
| June 23-25 | Dutch GP | Assen | 8 a.m. | Francesco Bagnaia | Ducati Lenovo Team |
| August 4-6 | British GP | Silverstone | 8 a.m. | TBD | |
| August 18-20 | Austrian GP | Red Bull Ring - Spielberg | 8 a.m. | TBD | |
| September 1-3 | Catalan GP | Barcelona-Catalunya | 8 a.m. | TBD | |
| September 8-10 | San Marino GP | Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli | 8 a.m. | TBD | |
| September 11 | San Marino test | Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli | 8 a.m. | TBD | |
| September 22-24 | Indian GP | Buddh | 4.30 a.m. | TBD | |
| September 29-October 1 | Japanese GP | Mobility Resort Motegi | 2 a.m. | TBD | |
| October 13-15 | Indonesian GP | Mandalika | 2 a.m. | TBD | |
| October 20-22 | Australian GP | Phillip Island | 12 a.m. | TBD | |
| October 27-29 | Thailand GP | Chang | 12 a.m. | TBD | |
| November 10-12 | Malaysian GP | Sepang | 1 a.m. | TBD | |
| November 17-19 | Qatar GP | Lusail | 12 p.m. | TBD | |
| November 24-26 | Valencia GP | Circuit Ricardo Tormo | 9 a.m. | TBD |
MORE: Jack Miller signs two-year MotoGP deal with KTM
How to watch MotoGP in the United States
- TV channel and live stream: NBC
For US-based viewers, every race in the 2023 MotoGP season will be available on NBC's family of networks. NBC and CNBC will bring you the action on TV with steaming options available on the NBC website and app.
How to watch MotoGP in Canada
- TV channel and live stream: REV TV
For fans in Canada, REV TV will carry the telecast of races. Unfortunately, Rev TV does not stream live content on its website. However, it has made its channel available to 32 different cable TV providers in Canada.
How to watch MotoGP in the United Kingdom
- TV channel and live stream: ITV, BT Sport
Viewers located in the United Kingdom can catch all the action courtesy of ITV and BT, including ITVX and the BT Sport app. BT Sport will have the rights over the majority of the season, but in the past ITV has shown the UK race on free-to-air TV as well as highlights.
How to watch MotoGP in Australia
- TV channel and live stream: Foxtel; Kayo Sports
Foxtel and Kayo Sports will carry all races in Australia.