MotoGP's 2013 qualifying format explained
This weekend's season-opening MotoGP round at Qatar will also mark the debut for a new knockout-style qualifying system.
This will work as follows:
The top ten fastest riders from the three free practice sessions will automatically be given a place in the second and final part of qualifying (Q2).
The remaining riders will participate in the first qualifying session (Q1), where only the top two will progress to Q2.
The first 12 places on the grid will then be decided during the Q2 session. The remaining grid order will be determined by the results from Q1.
There will be a new 30-minute untimed practice session (free practice four) before the two qualifying sessions. Qualifying in the Moto3 and Moto2 classes will remain unchanged, with only a single session.
Meanwhile, the unique Qatar night race means the season-opening grand prix is held over four nights. The 2013 track schedule can be seen below:
Qatar MotoGP schedule
Thursday:
18:00-18:40 Moto3 Free Practice 1
18:55-19:40 Moto2 Free Practice 1
19:55-20:40 MotoGP Free Practice 1
20:55-21:35 Moto3 Free Practice 2
21:50-22:35 Moto2 Free Practice 2
Friday:
18:00-18:45 MotoGP Free Practice 2
19:00-19:40 Moto3 Free Practice 3
19:55-20:40 Moto2 Free Practice 3
20:55-21:40 MotoGP Free Practice 3
Saturday:
18:00-18:40 Moto3 Qualifying
18:55-19:40 Moto2 Qualifying
19:55-20:25 MotoGP Free Practice 4 - NEW for 2013
20:35-20:50 MotoGP Qualifying 1 - NEW for 2013
21:00-21:15 MotoGP Qualifying 2 - NEW for 2013
21:40-22:00 Moto3 Warm Up
22:15-22:35 Moto2 Warm Up
Sunday:
18:00-18:20 MotoGP Warm Up
19:00 Moto3 Race (18 laps)
20:20 Moto2 Race (20 laps)
22:00 MotoGP Race (22 laps)
