Motorcycling-Radical overhaul of MotoGP format and teams makes for unpredictable season

FILE PHOTO: MotoGP - Malaysian Grand Prix - Sepang International Circuit, Sepang, Malaysia - October 23, 2022 Pramac Racing's Jorge Martin, Ducati Lenovo's Francesco Bagnaia and Repsol Honda Team's Marc Marquez in action with riders during the race REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

(Reuters) - The 2023 season signals a new dawn for MotoGP with a record 21 rounds but in reality the gruelling schedule will have 42 races as the championship undergoes a revolutionary overhaul with the introduction of Saturday sprints.

Run at 50% of Sunday's race distance, sprints will not decide the final grid as in Formula One but will have valuable points up for grabs, sowing more chaos in the championship battle.