Analyzing MotoGP’s 2023 accident statistics: Insights into the impact of the sprint format

Sprint Races: Love them or Hate them?

Love them or lump them, sprint races have become an integral part of the MotoGP series. Their introduction may have been sudden and overwhelming, but their aim was clear – to generate more interest among fans.

In 2023, we witnessed a significant increase in Saturday attendance compared to the previous year. Out of the 20 rounds run throughout the season, an astonishing 15 events showed a positive trend in terms of trackside figures when compared to 2022. While some events experienced slight dips due to various factors such as weather conditions and scheduling alterations, overall attendance numbers were on the rise.

However, it’s important to consider certain caveats that influenced these statistics. The lingering effects of COVID-19 still had an impact on several races during the previous season. Additionally, exceptional cases like Le Mans in France must be taken into account where popular local riders and effective event promotion contributed to record-breaking attendance figures.

MotoGP’s decision to add sprint races as an entertaining alternative has coincided with increased trackside attendance. Dorna Sports deserves credit for pushing boundaries and evolving a series that had remained stagnant for some time.