Retrospective: The season did not always start at Losail – 2/2

In motorcycle Grands Prix, the first race of the year is decisive. It sets the tone for an entire season, and must make an impression in order to take the viewer on board for around twenty other events. In 2023, losail will not open the campaign, a first since 2006. The premiere is left to Portimão, which joins a long list made up of legendary routes.

This episode follows the first part, published yesterday, found by clicking on this highlighted sentence.

Suzuka, the first Grand Prix of the year since 1987, had its little effect. Fights were commonplace, not to mention the growing enthusiasm of the Japanese. It was not until 1993 that we saw a change, namely the introduction of Australian Grand Prix at Eastern Creek. The oceanic country benefited from a special status, since the passion for motorcycle sport was carried by Wayne Gardner in the late 1980s, then Mick doohan. This made logistics easier, since we then went to Shah Alam in Malaysia, before finding Suzuka in Japan. The route, now named Sydney Motorsport Park, continued in this position until 1996.

Indeed, we could now afford to do two overseas tours per year, as nowadays. Malaysia took care of the replacement. Then, the eternal Suzuka made a new appearance. It was the opportunity for countless Japanese wildcards to reveal themselves, and perhaps, to grab a full-time seat for the following season. But in 2003, Daijiro Kato lost his life there shortly after the bend “130R”. Deemed too dangerous, it was removed from the calendar.

 

Always in the search for optimization is Phakisa in South Africa which took over, followed by Jerez. The Spanish Grand Prix no longer had the benefit of seeing the new models evolve for a long time, but it always took place very early in the season, which is still the case today. Often, it served as a spare wheel when circuits on the other side of the world could not accommodate the paddock, as was the case in 2020 for the premier category.

Then, in 2007, came Qatar, but not yet at night. Losail was introduced in 2006, and immediately marked the beginning of a new era. The countries of the Persian Gulf attach great importance to symbolism, much more than the Europeans. Thus, thanks to almost unlimited resources, these Arab countries can afford to create truly unique spectacles, such as the introduction of the first night GP in 2008. Starting the season is important because it means something. There is no doubt that the Qataris were the first to better understand the image sent by such an event. Moreover, in Formula 1, it has been many years now that we have started the year in these latitudes, at Bahrain, and that we finish it not far away, at United Arab Emirates.

 

Losail established a real tradition, and this, until 2022, the longest period spent as the opening Grand Prix without interruption. The route did not produce legendary races, it is true, but always more intense than those offered by Portimão since its introduction in 2020. Don't worry: DORNA and Qatar have a contract until 2031, and it could well return to its place as early as 2024.

What is your favorite opening Grand Prix? Are you more Suzuka, losail ou Eastern Creek ? Tell us in the comments!

 

Cover photo: daly3d abd