The Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix (Arabic: جائزة قطر الكبرى للدراجات النارية) is a motorcycling event that is part of the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing season.
 | |
| Grand Prix motorcycle racing | |
|---|---|
| Venue | Lusail International Circuit (2004–present) |
| First race | 2004 |
| Most wins (rider) | Jorge Lorenzo (6) |
| Most wins (manufacturer) | Aprilia (12) |
The Lusail race track in Qatar represents the debut race of each MotoGP season. In 2008, the track held the first night event in MotoGP history. The 2008 night event, aside from drawing boosted viewing which also coincided with the race being moved to the opening spot on the calendar, was initiated with the intent of increasing equipment performance: the day-time heat in Qatar has been hazardous to the conditions of tires and expensive, customized parts on the multimillion-dollar motorcycles. Rider safety notwithstanding, the extreme heat could be a critical variable contributing to defeat. Qatar's Grand Prix is the only event in the entire MotoGP calendar to be held at night.
The 2020 MotoGP race was scheduled to open the season before being cancelled due to the outbreak of Coronavirus. The Moto2 and Moto3 classes proceeded as planned.[1]
The event is due to take place at the Lusail International Circuit until at least 2031.[2]
Official names and sponsors edit
- 2004–2005: Marlboro Grand Prix of Qatar
- 2006–2016: Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar[3]
- 2017–2018, 2022: Grand Prix of Qatar (no official sponsor)[4]
- 2019: VisitQatar Grand Prix[5]
- 2020: QNB Grand Prix of Qatar
- 2021: Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar[6]
- 2023–present: Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar[7]
Criticism edit
The race has been argued to be an example of sportswashing.[8]
Winners edit
Multiple winners (riders) edit
| # Wins | Rider | Wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Years won | ||
| 6 |  Jorge Lorenzo
|
MotoGP | 2012, 2013, 2016 |
| 250cc | 2006, 2007 | ||
| 125cc | 2004 | ||
| 5 |  Casey Stoner
|
MotoGP | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 |
| 250cc | 2005 | ||
| 4 |  Valentino Rossi
|
MotoGP | 2005, 2006, 2010, 2015 |
| 3 | Maverick Viñales
|
MotoGP | 2017, 2021 |
| Moto3 | 2012 | ||
| 2 | Nicolás Terol
|
125cc | 2010, 2011 |
| Marc Márquez
|
MotoGP | 2014 | |
| Moto2 | 2012 | ||
| Andrea Dovizioso
|
MotoGP | 2018, 2019 | |
| Jaume Masià
|
Moto3 | 2021, 2023 | |
| Francesco Bagnaia
|
MotoGP | 2024 | |
| Moto2 | 2018 | ||
Multiple winners (manufacturers) edit
| # Wins | Manufacturer | Wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Years won | ||
| 12 | Aprilia
|
250cc | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 |
| 125cc | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 | ||
| 11 |  Kalex
|
Moto2 | 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 |
| 10 |  Honda
|
MotoGP | 2004, 2011, 2014 |
| Moto3 | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 | ||
| 9 | Yamaha
|
MotoGP | 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021 |
| 8 | Ducati
|
MotoGP | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
| 5 | KTM
|
Moto3 | 2013, 2014, 2020, 2021 |
| 125cc | 2005 | ||
| 2 |  Suter
|
Moto2 | 2010, 2012 |
| Boscoscuro
|
Moto2 | 2023, 2024 | |
By year edit
References edit
- ^ "MOTOGP CLASS CANCELLED AT THE GRAND PRIX OF QATAR". FIM-live.com. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
- ^ "MotoGP to race at Losail International Circuit until 2031". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 7 March 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ "2006 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
- ^ "2017 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
- ^ "2019 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
- ^ "2021 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
- ^ "2023 MotoGP Class (FIM Grand Prix World Championship) Programmes | The Motor Racing Programme Covers Project". www.progcovers.com.
- ^ "2016 Qatar MotoGP Wednesday Round Up: Oppressive Regimes, Muzzled Speech, and Unknown Quantities | MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks". motomatters.com. Retrieved 2021-03-09.