MotoGP 2025 Qatar Grand Prix: Preview
- Finn Glover
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Written by Finn Glover, Edited by Gabriel Tsui
There’s no need for the umbrellas this weekend, as MotoGP heads to the desert landscape of Doha for the fan-favourite Qatar Grand Prix. Held under the night sky, who will shine brightest and be victorious in one of MotoGP’s most closely fought and flowing tracks?
The Qatar Grand Prix: Lusail International Circuit
A true MotoGP circuit, Lusail is MotoGP’s only venture (so far) into the oil-rich, motorsport haven of the Middle East. Held since 2004 and under the lights since 2008, the track is MotoGP’s only night race and is a true favourite for fans and riders alike.
At 3.367 miles, the track consists of one extremely long straight (renowned for its photo finishes come the chequered flag), and a plethora of long, flowing corners blending perfectly into what many call an exquisite track to drive. The track is made up of 16 of these; many with the opportunity for daring dive bombs and brilliant battles.
Some of these battles have gone down in MotoGP’s hall of fame; with the likes of Dovizioso vs Márquez, Márquez vs Rossi, and more recently the brilliant showdown of 2021 resulting in a crazy Quartararo win, the majority of which come down to the very line, separated by milliseconds.
The searing temperatures are obviously mitigated by the event being held under moonlight, but still, with this year's edition being held late in April, exhaustion and fatigue will play a huge part in the outcome of the race.
Past Results
With the exception of 2023, Qatar has been a track not necessarily guideful for the season with its regular position of season opener. The past 3 editions have been won by Ducati’s, yet all by different riders.
Prior to that, it was anyone’s game. Yamaha dominated in the desert in 2021, and Honda and Dovizioso ruled in the late 2010’s. Viñales is the most successful current MotoGP rider on the grid at Qatar, with 3 wins at the track across the MotoGP/2/3 classes. Yet, Tech3 KTM might not be the best bet for the trophy…
A rider to watch is KTM’s Brad Binder; with the South African going extremely strongly in Lusail amidst Ducati domination; with P2 in 2024, 2022 and a respectable P5 in 2023.
In the past 3 years, 2 riders have claimed their inaugural wins in MotoGP at Qatar, with both Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio claiming first in the 2022/2023 editions (and both with Gresini!). Maybe the omens are out for a new Gresini rider to take his inaugural win; and with all respect to Fermín Aldeguer, Álex Márquez is another one to watch this weekend.
The 2024 edition was a Bagnaia lead parade; with the Italian stallion dashing off into the night in what could foreshadow this weekend's events also. After his momentous bounce-back win in Austin, can he continue the momentum to this weekend and truly ignite his championship charge?
Key Notices
The world champion is back! After missing the opening 3 rounds of the season through injury, #1, Jorge Martínwill return to the field onboard his Aprilia for the Qatar Grand Prix. Don’t expect too much; with him only being declared fit on Thursday and many describing this as a much needed ‘taster weekend’, with a new team, bike and season to fully adapt too, especially with missing so much pre-season.
Despite all his consecutive 2nd places, taking all 6 available, Álex Márquez, for the first time ever, is MotoGP’s championship leader heading into Qatar. His brother's COTA crash is proving costly, as he sits just 1 point behind in what is an extraordinarily close and formidable top 3 in the championship, rounded out by a surging Bagnaia.
Augusto Fernández will continue to fill in for the injured Miguel Oliviera onboard the PRAMAC Yamaha; after impressing with a respectable P13 amidst the chaos in COTA.
Only LCR’s Somkiat Chantra is the only rider to not achieve a points finish in the class; and with a track he is not known for being strong on, those first points might have to wait until Jerez.
Are you ready for another blockbuster weekend? As the COTA chaos begins to settle,some Qatari night action is on the horizon. Searing heat, searing championship battles, and the Martinator’s much anticipated return; what else could you wish for?
Can Márquez bounce back after an excruciating COTA outing, or will Bagnaia continue the momentum and make it 2-2 in the great red war seemingly forming. Or perhaps, the omens will play into fortune and maybe this will be Álex's weekend; ending his ridiculous run of all the second places.
Ready for some action? Tune in at 4PM BST for the race!
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