We made it this time ! Despite the pandemic and the contingencies of the health crisis, the Grands Prix paddock will launch its season and with its three categories combined. It will be recalled that, last year, MotoGP was unable to support Moto2 and Moto3, on a Losail track which, in 2021, will also organize the second meeting on the calendar. It is also the track that was used in the off-season. Suffice to say that everyone will be aware of their subject. Which promises a fierce fight and close gaps. Here are the times so you don't miss anything from an event which will start on Friday, as is tradition...
The pilots will find the Qatar and the track of losail that they experienced during their offseason. A prologue which revealed some trends of what awaits us near Doha. So, it's a duel between Ducati et Yamaha that we can predict, and the match is all the more open as it will bring together ten drivers. Six for the Italian brand, if we count the two rookies placed at Avintia with GP19s, and four in the Japanese camp where only one will not be equipped with the latest generation M1. It is Franco Morbidelli considered formidable and also reigning vice-world champion.
A physiognomy that will undoubtedly deny competition led by the World Champions drivers version Suzuki. By the way, it is the only team that is doing it again with the same duo of drivers, which is a guarantee of safety and experience. At the house of KTM, we are keeping a low profile after problematic and unconvincing off-season tests. On the other hand, at Aprilia, we stand with our heads held high after the same tests in the same place but with results hitherto unexpected for the Noale brand. We must confirm with this RS-GP, which will not be easy because only one driver is in the running for the feat: Aleix Espargaró. He will therefore have to take good care of himself...
Qatar: with or without Marc Marquez?
The big question concerns Honda. Alex Marquez left the offseason scene injured and we will see if he will be recovered in time. The same question arises with his older brother Marc but in other words. Absent for eight months, he is doing what is necessary to return to his best level, so much so that he is expected to compete this weekend. On his own, he can turn all the predictions upside down. As can surprise a Pol Espargaro, a newcomer to Repsol and who got in tune with the RC213V at an astonishing speed. Nakagami will not want to be left out.
While waiting for the first turns of the wheels, here is the program for the first meeting of the year where two French people will have a card to play in MotoGP : fabio quartararo, now official Yamaha, and Johann zarco, equipped with a good Ducati GP21 which he has already driven beyond 357 km/h at peak…
MotoGP Qatar: timetables
Friday 26 March :
11:45 a.m.: Free practice 1 Moto3
12:45 a.m.: Free practice 1 Moto2
13:40 p.m.: Free practice 1 MotoGP
16:10 a.m.: Free practice 2 Moto3
17:05 a.m.: Free practice 2 Moto2
18:00 p.m.: Free practice 2 MotoGP
Saturday March, 27 :
11:20 a.m.: Free practice 3 Moto3
12:20 p.m.: Free practice 3 Moto2
13:15 p.m.: Free practice 3 MotoGP
15:15 p.m.: Moto3 qualifying
16:25 p.m.: Moto2 qualifying
17:20 p.m.: Free practice 4 MotoGP
18:00 p.m.: MotoGP qualifying
Sunday 28 March :
13:35 p.m.: Warm up Moto3
14:10 p.m.: Warm up Moto2
14:40 p.m.: MotoGP warm-up
16:00 p.m.: Moto3 race
17:20 p.m.: Moto2 race
19:00 p.m.: MotoGP race
