• The Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar returns as the season opener.
• Resurfaced in 2023, the route is characterized by high abrasiveness which impacts tire strategy.
• The Sprint race (start 19:00 p.m.) and the Grand Prix (start 20:00 p.m.) will take place in the evening, with a track that is less hot than during the day.
Positioned last year at the end of the season due to renovation work on the circuit (penultimate race on the calendar), the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar reopens hostilities this year, as was already the case in the past. The bikes have evolved significantly compared to 2023 with even more aerodynamics, top riders have changed teams and the 2 Moto2023 champion, Pedro Acosta, is now up at Red Bull GASGAS Tech 3, Michelin tires sport All-new compound compounds and a new “HARD+” front specification will be available for several Grands Prix this season. The list of new features for 2024 is therefore long, the anticipation for this first race is strong in the hearts of all enthusiasts... and even among paddock professionals.
For twenty years, the Emirate of Qatar has hosted the MotoGP World Championship at the Lusail International Circuit, located just a few kilometers from the capital Doha. Also visited by other world-class disciplines such as Formula 1 and the FIA-WEC, the structure received a makeover in 2023. Now, in addition to offering the various players in motorsport new, more welcoming buildings, the version 2.0 of the route, which still extends over 5,38 km, features a new surface. If last year this Grand Prix represented a leap into the unknown for the teams and for Michelin because the characteristics of the new asphalt remained to be discovered, this year we know from the data that the new surface is fast... but very abrasive. Indeed, the size and shape of the stones which constitute the upper layer of asphalt (what we call macro-roughness) provide a good level of grip, but undermine the consistency and longevity of the most durable tires. tender.
Already in 2023, the drivers had selected with satisfaction the hard MICHELIN Power Slicks at the front and rear and the two races, Sprint and Grand Prix, took place without incident, with new record times to be expected.
In terms of forecasts, the return of the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar in March favors meteorological stability, because last November intense storms drenched the Qatari evenings. According to tradition, the Sprint race and the Grand Prix will take place after sunset, with a start at 19:00 p.m. (local time) for the Sprint (11 laps) and 20:00 p.m. for the Grand Prix (22 laps).
To navigate the 16 bends of the Lusail International Circuit, including 10 to the right, and reach top speeds above 330 km/h on the pit straight, MotoGP riders have at their disposal an allocation consisting of three notches symmetrical tires for the front (SOFT, MEDIUM and HARD) and two tires for the rear, a SOFT and MEDIUM. The SOFT is asymmetrical with a reinforced right side. Regarding the MICHELIN Power Rain range, Michelin has brought SOFT and MEDIUM rubber to Qatar for both the front wheel (symmetrical tire) and the rear wheel (asymmetrical tire with reinforced right side).
« We fine-tuned the tire allocation for Qatar during the official February tests "Indicates Piero Taramasso, manager of Michelin's two-wheel competition. “ We now know the characteristics of the new Lusail asphalt which, compared to last year, has made our task easier, particularly when choosing the mixtures. In addition to the abrasiveness of this track, it must be taken into account that the tests and qualifications will take place during the day on a very hot track (over 45°C), which should direct the drivers towards harder tires, with probably a SOFT back pick for qualifying. The Sprint race and the Grand Prix are scheduled for the evening and the SOFT rear tire could be selected in particular for the 11 laps of the Sprint. Last parameter to consider in the tire strategy: the sand brought by the wind, likely to amplify the already high abrasiveness, while significantly reducing the overall level of grip. Due to the evolution of the bikes and the increased performance displayed during official tests by the new 2024 Michelin rubber compounds, if conditions permit, we expect to set new records to our already extensive track record.”
On the Lusail circuit, the MotoGP riders will take to the track for a first 45-minute free practice session on Friday March 8 at 15:45 p.m. (local time). A second session, this time one hour long and qualifying, will take place at night, at 20 p.m. It will allow the 10 fastest drivers to move directly into Q2. On Saturday, the action will take place from 14 p.m., with a 30-minute free practice session, then Q1 and Q2 qualifying (15 minutes each), then the Sprint race (11 laps) at 19 p.m. The Grand Prix (22 laps) will take place on Sunday at 20 p.m., after a 10-minute warm-up scheduled for the afternoon.
