MotoGP: Three Practice Sessions for 2011

2011 MotoGP Rules

During the 2010 season, MotoGP implemented three practice sessions at the debut of the Aragon circuit, and then at the final two rounds in Portugal and Valencia.

It was assumed that MotoGP would begin using the three-practice format in 2011, and on Monday, the FIM Grand Prix Commission proved this assumption correct.

The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Ignacio Verneda (FIM), Hervé Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), in the presence of M. Paul Butler (Secretary of the meeting), unanimously decided to implement the three practice sessions of 45 minutes each, and one-hour qualification session.

MotoGP quit using the three-practice format in 2009 in attempt to cut costs. Since 2009 and up to Aragon, the format consisted of an hour-long Friday Free Practice 1 session, an hour-long Saturday Free Practice 2 session, and then an hour-long Qualifying session.

But at every race during the 2011 MotoGP season, there was still three hours of practice and qualifying combined, but just in shorter segments: 45 minutes each for the three practice sessions and qualifying. These shorter sessions allowed the return of three practices over two, and at the same costs.

Following is the schedule for MotoGP teams:

Wednesday: Arrival and setting up of Teams

Thursday: Arrival and setting up of Teams
10:00 – 17:00 Technical and Sporting Checks and other formalities
 
Friday
09:15-09:55:    40 min.    125cc    Free Practice 1
10:10-10:55:    45 min.    MotoGP  Free Practice 1
11:10-11:55:    45 min.    Moto2    Free Practice 1
13:15-13:55:    40 min.,   125cc    Free Practice 2
14:10-14:55:    45 min.    MotoGP  Free Practice 2
15:10-15:55:    45 min.    Moto2    Free Practice 2

Saturday
09:15-09:55:    40 min.    125cc    Free Practice 3
10:10-10:55:    45 min.    MotoGP  Free Practice 3
11:10-11:55:    45 min.    Moto2    Free Practice 3
13:00-13:40:    40 min.    125cc    Qualifying Practice
13:55-14:55:    60 min.    MotoGP  Qualifying Practice
15:10-15:55:    45 min.    Moto2    Qualifying Practice

Sunday
08:40-09:00:    20 min.    125cc    Warm Up
09:10-09:30:    20 min.    Moto2    Warm Up
09:40-10:00:    20 min.    MotoGP   Warm Up
11:00:         125cc    Race
12:15:         Moto2    Race
14:00:         MotoGP  Race

2011 MotoGP Schedule:

March 20: Qatar* Losail
April 3: Spain Jerez
April 24: Japan Motegi
May 1: Portugal Estoril
May 15: France Le Mans
June 5: Catalunya Catalunya
June 12: Great Britain Silverstone
June 25: Netherlands** Assen
July 3: Italy Mugello
July 17: Germany Sachsenring
July 24: United States*** Laguna Seca
Aug. 14: Czech Republic Brno
Aug. 28: Indianapolis Indianapolis
Sept. 4: San Marino & Misano
Riviera di Rimini
Sept. 18: Aragon MotorLand
Oct. 16: Australia Phillip Island
Oct. 23: Malaysia Sepang
Nov. 6: Valencia Ricardo Tormo – Valencia

* Evening race
** Saturday race
*** Only MotoGP class