How long is a MotoGP race?
MotoGP is the premier class of motorcycle road racing. It is sanctioned and supported by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme. There have been MotoGP events since the early 20th century. The sport has become popular and well known over the years, and because of this, many people ask how long is a MotoGP race?
A MotoGP race last about 40 to 45 minutes and is run with a distance of between 100 and 130 kilometers per race, depending on the circuit. In addition, MotoGP riders have three 45-minute sessions of practice which will determine the placing of the first ranking for the race after the fourth 30-minute session, whose times aren’t included in determining the results.
So, to understand this racing sport better, here are other essential information you need to learn and understand about MotoGP Racing.
How Many Laps does a MotoGP Race have?
The standard number of laps in MotoGP races is 20 laps, usually covering a distance of 110.9 km or 68.8 miles. While for Moto2 races, the standard is 18 laps covering 99.8 km or 61.9 miles, and for Moto3 racing, it is a standard of 17 laps covering 94.2 km or 58.5 miles.
During the MotoGP™ race at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia, Race Direction decided to change the race length due to weather conditions and reduced it to 20 laps from the originally scheduled 27 laps.
How are Race Points awarded in MotoGP?
MotoGP utilizes a point system to decide the outcome of both the Constructor’s world championship and which Rider gets it. This award is given to both the team and the Rider that scored the most points during the championship season. A rider must be declared a finisher and placed in the top 15 of each race to receive points.
To gain points, the driver must complete at least 75% of the distance covered in the race by the winner and cross the finish line from the race track within five minutes from when the winner finished the race.
With this point system, the top 15 drivers are awarded with the following points:
Points and Race Position:
1. 25 points
2. 20 point
3. 16 points
4. 13 points
5. 11 points
6. 10 points
7. 9 points
8. 8 points
9. 7 points
10. 6 points
11. 5 points
12. 4 points
13. 3 points
14. 2 points
15. 1 point
Is MotoGP faster than F1?
To determine if the MotoGP is faster than an F1 vehicle, here is the following comparison between MotoGP and F1.
Acceleration
At 0 to 100kph speeds, the F1 car will tend to spin up, and the MotoGP bike will have difficulty keeping its front wheel on the ground. However, MotoGP defeats F1 at 0 to 200kph acceleration. Because At around 180kph, the electronics of the f1 car will begin to take complete control of the vehicle, while for MotoGP, riders can still work the throttle. The F1 car can perform this acceleration in 5.2s, but for MotoGP, it only takes 4.8s to achieve it. On the other hand, a MotoGP bike needs 11.8s to go from 0 to 300kph, while the single-seater F1 car can complete it in just 10.6s.
Top speed
Regarding top speeds, there’s not much competition for the F1 vehicle. During the Austrian Grand Prix in 2018, Kimi Räikkönen recorded the fastest race lap record with his Ferrari on the Red Bull Ring with a speed of 1 minute and 06.957s. On the other hand, MotoGP’s quickest race lap record was achieved by Johann Zarc with his 1-minute and 24.312s register in 2017 at the Spielberg race track.
The current highest average speed for F1 cars is around the 240 kph mark, which was achieved at the Red Bull Ring. While for the MotoGP, the highest average speed is only 182kph. If you want to know why there is a big difference, here are the reasons. F1 vehicles have amazing, mind-blowing cornering speeds because they have incredible aerodynamics and more rubber on the ground, enabling them to increase downforce with more speed.
Downforce
Generally, a MotoGP bike has two main problems when it comes to downforce. Although a motorcycle is small, it can’t compete with a Formula One car with extremely sophisticated aerodynamics design and technology. This vehicle can obtain much better traction because of its better aerodynamics and bigger tyres. The single-seater F1 vehicle can pass through at tremendous speeds slowing down from 312kph to a still-fast 240kph in mid-and high-speed turns. At the same time, MotoGP bikes need to slow down from 327kph to 115kph in similar circumstances. Furthermore, F1 drivers just need to ease a little off the throttle when cornering, while the MotoGP riders have to brake hard.
Braking
When it comes to braking, the F1 car has no competition, for it can produce a braking force that approaches 5G. Without flaps, wings, and so on, a MotoGP bike can’t compete in speed when cornering.
The single-seater F1 vehicle is more stable due to its better traction and lower center of gravity. But MotoGP’s rear wheel tends to go up in the air when it performs a hard brake. It means that the MotoGP bike has to brake 200m earlier than usual to prevent this from happening.
Furthermore, a MotoGP rider must use his entire body when braking, while an F1 car driver only has to control the steering wheel and the pedals when braking.
How Long is a MotoGP Race? – Final Thoughts
The MotoGP race is a dominant motorcycle race known to many sports fans and Motor racing enthusiasts. However, many sports fans still want to know how long a MotoGP race is.
So to answer that question, A MotoGP race lasts about 40 to 45 minutes and is run with a distance of between 100 and 130 kilometers per race, depending on the circuit. In addition to that, MotoGP riders have three 45-minute sessions of practice which will determine the placing of the first ranking for the race after the fourth 30-minute session, whose times aren’t included in determining the results.
Furthermore, there are 20 laps in a standard MotoGP race, and a rider and his team can earn championship points by finishing in the top 15 of the races.