MotoGP Scraps Traditional Sunday Warm-Up
MotoGP will eliminate its traditional Sunday morning warm-up session from 2027, introducing a revised pre-race procedure as part of a major overhaul of the championship's weekend format.
The change removes the short session traditionally used by riders and teams to check motorcycle performance, assess track conditions and make final adjustments before the Grand Prix.
Instead, riders will be given a 10-minute pit-lane window to complete multiple sighting laps ahead of Sunday's main race.
The move forms part of MotoGP's wider effort to restructure its race weekends as the championship enters a new technical era.
No Sunday warm-up. A new approach to race-day preparation.
What Replaces Sunday Warm-Up?
Under the revised procedure, riders will still have an opportunity to assess the circuit before the Grand Prix.
However, the new sighting-lap window will differ from the traditional timed warm-up session.
Riders will be able to complete multiple laps during the designated period before making their final preparations on the starting grid.
The change is intended to simplify Sunday's schedule while maintaining an opportunity for essential pre-race checks.
For teams, the biggest adjustment will be managing their final preparations without a dedicated competitive warm-up session.
Teams Face New Race-Day Challenges
The removal of Sunday warm-up could have important consequences, particularly at circuits where conditions change rapidly.
Tracks such as Sepang, Mandalika and Motegi can experience significant variations in temperature, grip and weather between Saturday and Sunday.
Previously, warm-up gave riders an additional opportunity to assess those changes before the race.
From 2027, teams may need to rely more heavily on data collected during Friday and Saturday sessions.
Riders such as Marc Márquez and Jorge Martin will also have to adapt their pre-race routines to the revised format.
The changes could make tyre selection, setup decisions and preparation even more important.
MotoGP's 2027 Transformation Continues
For Winbox Racing, the removal of Sunday warm-up is another significant change in MotoGP's upcoming transformation.
The championship has already confirmed separate Sprint and Grand Prix qualifying sessions for 2027, creating two different starting grids across each race weekend.
Alongside the sporting changes, MotoGP will introduce 850cc engines, reduced aerodynamics, a ban on ride-height devices and Pirelli tyres replacing Michelin.
Together, these changes will reshape how teams prepare for and compete in a MotoGP weekend.
The traditional Sunday warm-up has long been part of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, but the championship is now preparing for a different approach.
New bikes. New qualifying. No Sunday warm-up.
MotoGP's 2027 revolution will change more than just the motorcycles.
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