MotoGP Preview: Qatar Grand Prix
MotoGP heads to Qatar this weekend for its latest outing, amidst uncertainty, but not without controversy. From teams boycotting the race to most riders complaining, there is a lot to unpack before the racing even begins.
Last week, Jorge Martín's wrist injury forced him to sit out of the race, leaving Marc Márquez to now lead the championship by 44 points. The title fight is still on, but the reigning world champion could put an end to it this Sunday.
Here is everything you need to know before the Qatar Grand Prix.
This week's track: Lusail International Circuit
Located in the Doha desert, the Qatar Grand Prix has been a regular stop for the sport since 2004, and just four years later it became a night-race staple. The sole MotoGP Grand Prix to be held at night, Lusail International Circuit provides fans and riders alike with a racing experience like no other.
Spanning 5.38 km (3.34 miles) and 16 corners, the track has plenty of opportunities for overtaking. The long straight paired with wide sweeping corners makes for one of the most exciting tracks of the competition and a fan favourite in recent years.
Some key areas to keep an eye on this weekend are the fast sections of Turn 2 to Turn 5 and Turn 12 to Turn 14. Both are fast sections where riders can take advantage of potential mistakes made by their competitors.
Although the Qatar Grand Prix manages to avoid the heat of the sun, temperatures in Doha have remained scorching in recent years. However, with this season’s event being moved to November, this may be less of a problem for the riders.
Past results
Last season, Marc Márquez reigned victorious in the desert, equalling Jorge Lorenzo with 114 podium finishes. The race itself was nothing short of chaotic. Franco Morbidelli briefly took the lead after starting fourth, and the Márquez brothers collided on the first lap.
Marc Márquez lost an aero piece from his bike, and Álex Márquez went on to be involved in another collision just two laps later. Following the incident, he received a long lap penalty.
Martín made his return to the track at Qatar after his pre-season testing crash, but he unfortunately crashed on Lap 15, having to be taken to the medical centre. The Spaniard’s journey with Aprilia Racing did not prove a particularly lucky one, continuing to be riddled with injuries.
All through its history, the Qatar Grand Prix saw multiple memorable moments, such as maiden wins for Casey Stoner, Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio and debut wins with new manufacturers for Jorge Lorenzo and Maverik Viñales. Will a new rider conquer the track for the first time this week?
Key talking points
Originally supposed to take place at the beginning of the season, the Qatar Grand Prix was rescheduled due to safety concerns following the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. This move means that MotoGP now has an unexpected late-season triple-header.
Jack Miller alleged that 19 out of the 22 riders on the grid would have wanted the race in Qatar cancelled, but their names have not been officially made public. The Australian rider stated: “As riders, we've united and done the best we can, and threatened the best we can with what ammunition we have.
Not only for us as riders, but also for other people in the championship. You speak to 50% of the paddock; nobody wants to go. I don't understand why we need to. I don't understand.”
Media companies and team officials have also voiced their concerns regarding travelling to Doha. So far, Yamaha has announced their decision not to attend the Qatar race, and their quartet of riders will not compete this weekend.
MotoGP assured that all other teams agreed to take part in the Qatar Grand Prix and that independent safety advisers confirmed that there is no reason for the event to not take place.
In addition, Yamaha’s decision might come with certain consequences, with MotoGP issuing the following statement:
“In addition to the contractual implications of Yamaha's decision for its agreements with MotoGP and IRTA, Yamaha's non-participation also carries sporting implications, with any sporting consequences to be managed by the FIM in accordance with the Championship regulations.”
At this time, the potential implications mentioned are not confirmed.
Álex Márquez will also be missing from the grid as he will undergo surgery on his shoulder. Fermín Aldeguer is set to return to the track after two missed weekends, and Iker Lecuona, Gresini Racing’s most reliable replacement this season, will accompany him.
After finishing his season in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK), he was likely seeking a break from additional MotoGP duties, but his participation has been confirmed by the team. Joan Mir had to retire from the Malaysian Grand Prix due to vision issues, and will be replaced by WSBK rider Jake Dixon.
Marc Márquez won the Malaysian Grand Prix and created a comfortable gap between him and his rival. He is able to claim the title this weekend if he outscores Martín by 30 points and Marco Bezzecchi by eight, but the seven-time world champion knows better than to celebrate too early.
“I don't want to fall into the trap, starting here in front of the microphones, of thinking that it's already done. No, I want to continue with the same mentality because, I insist, there are few races left but many moments. We have to remain very focused,” Márquez described, after his victory in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Martín’s chances took an abrupt turn as he was forced to withdraw from last week’s Grand Prix, seemingly repeating last season’s mistakes of attempting a return to the track too early. The wrist injury suffered in Australia saw the Aprilia rider sit out both the sprint and the feature race, scoring no points in the process.
Now 44 points away from his rival and still unsure of a potential return in Qatar, Martín is pessimistic about his chances. He stated: “For sure, the championship is there. I think now I don't have to think about the championship. Maybe I can win it, but for me it's already lost.”
Bezzecchi's chances have decreased dramatically after Malaysia. The Italian only finished fifth after a last-lap mistake almost took him out entirely.
He said: “Let's say that it's super hard. Realistically, it's tough. But until the math is on our side, I will keep believing; I will keep working as hard as I can every day at home and at the races.”
Aprilia Racing still has something to look forward to, as they could claim the Teams’ Championship this weekend.
Is the title fight already coming to an end? Follow the Qatar Grand Prix this Sunday, 8 November, from 19:00 local time (16:00 GMT) to find out!
Description: Amid a wave of controversy, MotoGP heads to Qatar this weekend for the 20th round of the season.
Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
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