It is with an incredible pole position from Luca Marini on the Losail international circuit that the MotoGP class Qatar Grand Prix presents itself, to allow us to enjoy its Sprint race this Saturday. The Mooney VR46 Racing Team rider took his Ducati GP22 to the top right under the checkered flag, ahead of a great Fabio di Giannantonio by just 67 thousandths, the Gresini Racing rider still without a saddle ahead of 2024…
To Marini, it is the second pole in the Top Class, the sixth of his career, while for Ducati, it is the 88th pole in the premier category. Also on the front line is Alex Marquez, who “stopped” 0,136 seconds from pole on the second Desmosedici of Gresini Racing.
The leader of the world championship, Pecco Bagnaia, finished fourth and, in each outing, he was followed by Marc Marquez who then finished seventh and who seems to have taken the #1 Ducati as his wheel in each session. The Piedmontese driver overtook his rival in the title race George Martin (Pramac Racing), who in turn beat his teammate Johann zarco who only wants to help him in his quest for the world title.
In third row, we find Marc Marquez, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia) and Raul Fernandez (Aprilia SAT RNF). Fourth line for Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia), Brad Binder (KTM) and Augusto Fernandez (KTM Team GASGAS). The first city will have to move back six places after having attacked Franco Morbidelli on the track during FP2.
Tempers flared between @AleixEspargaro and @FrankyMorbido12 in FP2 earlier on! 😱
The Spaniard has been fined and handed a 6-place grid penalty for Sunday's race ⚠️#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/0wOq1emo6x
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
Among the others, we note Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati Mooney VR46 Racing Team) who will start from 13th place, fabio quartararo (Yamaha Factory) 14th, Enea Bastianini embarrassed by Iker Lecuona in his fast and very angry lap who therefore failed to pass Q1.
The Beast is furious! 😮@ Bestia23 was up on the lap record before he hit traffic! 🚨#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/3mtbW4cxsM
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
What will this Sprint race have in store for us which will distribute the first very precious points at this stage of the Qatar Grand Prix season? Before you know it, here is the table that summarizes the facts known so far.
MotoGP Qatar™ |
2022 |
2023 |
FP1 |
1'54.851 Brad Binder (See here) |
1'56.393 Jorge Martin (See here) |
Practice |
1'53.432 Alex Rins (See here) |
1'52.843 Raul Fernandez (See here) |
FP2 |
1'53.790 Enea Bastianini (See here) |
1'53.531 Fabio Quartararo (See here) |
FP4 |
1'54.420 Johann Zarco (See here) |
XXXXX |
Q1 |
1'53.512 Brad Binder (See here) |
1'52.382 Johann Zarco (See here) |
Q2 |
1'53.011 Jorge Martín (See here) |
1'51.762 Luca Marini (See here) |
Sprint |
XXXXX |
Martin, Di Giannantonio, Marini (See here) |
Warm-up |
1'54.519 Enea Bastianini (See here) |
(See here) |
Course |
Bastianini, Binder, P. Espargaro (See here) |
(See here) |
All time lap record |
1'52.772 Francesco Bagnaia 2021 (See here) |
1'51.762 Luca Marini (See here) |
A duel at the summit awaits us in 30 minutes…
TEverything is possible...for these 2 title hunters, one already has it in his bag, Bagnaia, the other covets it fiercely...Martin!
Only 14 points separate them and there are still 74 points to play for! ⚔
It's time to choose your side in the #PECCOvsMARTIN battle for the #MotoGP title! 🔴 🏆 🟣#TeamPECCO | #TeamMARTIN pic.twitter.com/sA8dX5H8nR
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 12, 2023
It's time to make your predictions...
#TissotSprint winner predictions HERE! 👇#QatarGP 🇶🇦
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
11 laps are to be completed on a 5.380km long route made up of 16 turns: 6 on the left and 10 on the right)
We're live!
All set for another epic battle between the title contenders! 🏆
enjoy the #TissotSprint With #VideoPass 👉 https://t.co/QFmZysicFQ#QatarGP 🇶🇦
https://t.co/yhqhuSg1ig- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
Maximum concentration in the eyes of the reigning world champion..
#TeamPECCO or #TeamMARTIN? 🤔
Another twist could be about to unfold in the title fight! ⚔️#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/oxQqkmpUkd
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
And in the boss’s cardio report…
The heart rate monitor is back 😎
Expect Davide Tardozzi's heart rate to soar later! 😅#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/wFLELKbxzA
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
Ice Marini in his stage costume...He's ready!
Cool and calm 🥶@ Luca_Marini_97 has a clear run to Turn 1! Can he convert for his first #TissotSprint victory? 🤔#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/jFyZ00GRQq
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
The Eye of the Tiger….Martin “In”!
Close company 👀#PECCOvsMARTIN | #QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/MilKFqoF7L
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
Heating tower...
It's off and it's Marini who takes the lead ahead of AMarquez and Martin.
🚦 THE DUEL IN THE DESERT IS GO 🚦@ 88jorgemartin gets the best of @PeccoBagnaia into Turn 1! ⚔️#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/1zC2VBve3h
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
Big fall: Bastianini, A.Espargaro and Oliveira.
A Ducati factory is down! 😱
It's @ Bestia23! @PeccoBagnaia lose his wingman! 💥#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/R5biD1uF9E
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
After 1 lap, the positions are as follows: Marini, AMarquez, Martin, Di Giannantonio, Bagnaia, MMarquez, Binder, Vinales, Zarco and RFernandez
RUTHLESS from @ 88jorgemartin! 💥
He BARGES his way through him @PeccoBagnaia! 👊#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/ceg1edDzwq
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
Marini is unable to widen the gap, he only has 0.107s on AMarquez. Martin is 0.213s behind the younger Marquez. Di Giannantonio and Bagnaia complete this provisional top5. Zarco is 8th, Quartararo is 12th
Martin passes AMarquez, he is 2nd, he is 0.100s behind the race leader, Marini.
Alarm bells for @PeccoBagnaia! 🚨@ 88jorgemartin picks off @ alexmarquez73 for 2nd! 👊
The points lead is dwindling! 😱#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/PhUfq6DvBU
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
Martin does not stop there, he passes Marini and takes the lead of the race. Di Giannantonio, AMarquez, and Bagnaia complete this top5
Best lap in the race for Martin who is 0.500s ahead of his pursuer Di Giannantonio. Zarco is in 8th position, Quartararo is 11th.
HEY LEADS! 🚨
It could be just SEVEN POINTS! 🤯#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/kTvK73SP6x
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
bagnaia remains in 5th position.
If @PeccoBagnaia never had a hidden gear…
He needs to find it now! 🚀#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/7KAijhiZBY
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
4 more rounds...
Martin is in the lead ahead of Di Giannantonio, Marini, AMarquez, Bagnaia, Vinales, Binder, Zarco, MMarquez and Quartararo.
Image of the start….Assumed virility.. by Jorge Martin!
That's starting! 🤯#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/X6UTkWCDE0
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
Checkup for Oliveira at the medical center..
Medical Info 📋#MotoGP rider #88 Miguel Oliveira is going to the medical center for a check up#QatarGP 🇶🇦
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
Quartararo passes Zarco to gain 8th position.
Di Giannantonio comes back on Martin, he is 0.183s behind. We attack the last lap...Marini, AMarquez and Bagnaia complete this top5.
Victory for Martin ahead of Di Giannantonio and Marini
A proper masterclass from Martinator at the most crucial time! 🔥@ 88jorgemartin win the #TissotSprint at Lusail! 🥇#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/izihAMeXlk
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
YET ANOTHER TWIST! 🤯@ 88jorgemartin BATTERIES THE PRESSURE ON! 🥇#PECCOvsMARTIN | #QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/Sj0Me5zygA
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2023
MotoGP Qatar Sprint: standings
Motogp.com ranking credit