FIM SPEEDWAY: GP FORMAT CHANGED FOR 2025

• Speedway GP sprint races increased to six as part of an epic new head-to-head knockout qualifying format in 2025.
• Semi-finals replaced by last-chance qualifiers (LCQ1 and LCQ2), with top two riders after 20 heats advancing to the Speedway GP final automatically.
• Eight-team, 28-heat FIM Speedway of Nations – SON2 format retained for 2025.

With six months remaining until a new Speedway GP season gets underway, global promoter Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) have unveiled exciting changes designed to make one of the most adrenaline-fuelled motorsport disciplines even more thrilling.

In 2025, riders will have six chances to earn extra FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Championship points as they battle it out in an exciting new-look qualifying session with an epic head-to-head format, one of the major changes introduced to add even more intensity to the competition. 

HEAD-TO-HEAD SHOWDOWNS

Qualifying will get underway at an earlier time at most events and on Friday afternoon at the Warsaw and Cardiff events. It will kick off with two free practice runs for each rider – FP1 and FP2.

The Speedway GP stars will then be drawn into pairs for a 60-second head-to-head showdown in Q1, with the fastest rider advancing to Q2, where they face another head-to-head. The winner of each Q2 battle in Landshut, Warsaw, Manchester, Gorzow, Cardiff and Wroclaw will then enter a four-rider sprint race, with the winner earning four Speedway GP World Championship points, with three for the rider in second, two for third and one for fourth place. The sprint race winner will also earn first choice of starting positions for the evening’s SGP event, with the second, third and fourth-placed riders next to select.

Winner of both Speedway GP sprint races in 2024 – Dan Bewley (right) takes on Martin Vaculik. PHOTO: Jarek Pabijan

There will be no sprint races at the events in Prague, Malilla, Riga and Vojens due to these four venues staging SGP2 or SGP3 action on Friday evening. The qualifying session at these rounds will culminate in Q3, with all four riders taking to the track at the same time for 60 seconds, bidding to set the fastest lap time. 

No SGP World Championship points will be on the line in Q3, but the rider with the fastest lap time earns first choice of starting positions for the evening’s event, with those placed second, third and fourth next to choose. The four riders who exit qualifying in Q2 are next to choose their starting positions – in an order determined by their fastest lap times. Finally, the eight riders eliminated in Q1 then choose starting positions – again, in an order determined by their fastest lap times.

FIM Speedway race director Phil Morris believes the new qualifying format will provide plenty of excitement in 2025.

He said: “The sprint races we staged in Cardiff and Warsaw this year certainly raised the stakes for qualifying at those rounds, with the eight-championship points Dan Bewley earned for winning both helping to secure him fourth place in the championship at the end of the season.

“We are delighted to be staging sprint races at six events next year, with the addition of the new head-to-head battles across all 10 events. While every rider is guaranteed five minutes of track time across FP1, FP2 and Q1, they now have the chance to earn additional track time by reaching Q2 and either the sprint race or Q3.

“These extra minutes on the track could give riders a real advantage for the evening’s Speedway GP. And, of course, any points secured in the sprint race could make the difference to a rider’s Speedway GP World Championship title, medal or qualification hopes at the end of the season.”

FIM Speedway World Championships director Laura Manciet commented: “Alongside our partners at the FIM, we are delighted to have created a format which we believe will be both exciting and easy to follow for fans in the stadium and viewers watching at home.

“With championship points up for grabs in six of the 10 SGP rounds and first choice of starting positions on offer in all 10 events, the stakes will be high at qualifying – and that’s before we have even talked about 23 wheel-to-wheel heats of Speedway GP action in the evening!

“The new format looks set to be a great addition to Speedway GP weekends and we look forward to returning with more high-octane action in 2025 – starting with the FIM Speedway GP of Germany – Landshut on May 7.”

LAST-CHANCE SALOON

Another major Speedway GP change for 2025 sees semi-finals replaced by last-chance qualifiers (LCQ1 and LCQ2). The top two riders on the scorechart after 20 heats will now advance directly to the final. The SGP stars ranked third to 10th on the heat scorechart will then be drawn into LCQ1 and LCQ2, with only the winner of each advancing to the final to battle it out for victory on the night. The riders will continue to receive championship points, determined by their position in the final event classification, with 20 for the winner of the final, 18 for second, 16 for third and 14 for fourth place.

The riders who fail to progress from LCQ1 and LCQ2 will then be ranked according to their position in these races – with 11 or 12 for the second-placed riders, nine or 10 for third and seven or eight for fourth. The remaining riders ranked 11th or lower in the Speedway GP after 20 heats receive championship points on a sliding scale, with six on offer for 11th place and one for the 16th-placed rider. 

FIM Track Racing Commission (CCP) director Armando Castagna commented: “These changes will reward riders who score highest and perform most consistently over the 20 heats, guaranteeing them a place in the final and at least 14 Speedway GP World Championship points.

“On the other hand, it also keeps the night alive for those riders placed third to 10th, giving them four laps to fight for their place in the final. This means that even if a rider has a bad start to the night, a strong finish could still be enough to earn them a place in LCQ1 or LCQ2 – and maybe even an opportunity to compete in the final or win the Speedway GP.

“We hope this change will deliver an exciting finish to every Speedway GP event and ensure the stakes are high until the chequered flag falls.”

Poland celebrates SON2 victory in Manchester in 2024. PHOTO: Jarek Pabijan.

EIGHT-TEAM SON2 CONTINUES

The FIM Speedway of Nations – SON2 event expanded to eight countries in 2024, and this will now be maintained for 2025 as hosts and reigning champions Poland defend their crown at Torun’s Marian Rose Motoarena on October 3.

The marathon 28-heat contest sees the Poles take on 2024 runners-up Sweden, Australia, Great Britain, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic and Latvia – ensuring none of the countries will face relegation for 2025. 

Morris commented: “While 28 heats make for a busy night of racing, we were delighted with the 2024 event in Manchester. The action progressed at a good pace and there was excitement all the way to the finish as Poland won gold.

“Giving eight nations the chance to take part in SON2 ensures all these countries can continue to offer their riders the chance to compete on this stage and develop in the competition, which is hugely valuable – especially for riders not yet competing in Europe’s top leagues.

“If riders miss out on this opportunity due to their country suffering relegation, it could prove detrimental to their progress in the sport. Given that we now have a format that allows all eight SON2 nations to compete, it seems logical to continue with this.”

After three seasons as global promoter of FIM Speedway, WBD Sports continues to collaborate closely with the FIM to bring fresh energy to the sport, enhancing its appeal and excitement for a broader audience, increasing fan engagement, and ensuring an intense day of racing at SGP events from the first qualifying lap to the final chequered flag. 

The full 2025 Speedway GP rulebook will be available on FIMSpeedway.com and FIM-Moto.com in the new year.