2026 Brazil MotoGP shortened moments before start due to “track degradation”

The 2026 MotoGP Brazilian Grand Prix has seen a dramatic reduction in lap count just moments before the start due to “track degradation”.

MotoGP’s return to Brazil for the first time in 22 years has been plagued by controversy from the off, after parts of the Goiania circuit were flooded by heavy rain earlier this week.

Track action on Friday was delayed by an hour due to heavy rainfall, while a major schedule change was forced on Saturday due to a sinkhole appearing on the main straight following MotoGP qualifying.

The hole was patched up and the sprint was able to be run, as well as Moto3 qualifying on Saturday, while qualifying for the Moto2 class was postponed to Sunday morning.

The 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix for the MotoGP class was due to run over 31 laps on Sunday at Goiania.

However, just moments before the start, race direction announced a major distance change, reducing the race from 31 laps to 23.

A brief statement from MotoGP said this is “due to track degradation”.

Conditions are at their hottest for the weekend so far, with track temperatures higher than they were at the Thai Grand Prix three weeks ago.

The race got underway at 6pm GMT.

The 23-lap distance marks the two-thirds cut-off needed to award full points if the original 31-lap race was red-flagged.

The Brazilian Grand Prix was due to be the longest in terms of laps since the 2013 US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.

Michelin says it had no involvement in the decision made by MotoGP.

"Just prior to the official announcement, Dorna informed us of track degradation following previous races," a spokesperson said.

"Michelin had no involvement in the decision."

It is thought that the track issues are centred on Turns 11 and 12.