The MotoGP season starts in Qatar this weekend
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What’s up?
In the Qatari Doha the new season of the motorcycle world championship begins on the weekend at the Losail International Circuit.
How sees
the schedule?
There are currently 21 stations on the racing calendar, but there are no dates for Termas de Rio Hondo / Argentina and Austin / Texas after the cancellation in mid-January. At the beginning there will be two races in Qatar (March 28th / April 4th), the race in Portimao / Portugal was added later, Iitti / Finland is new.
What does the flight route look like?
From Qatar it does not go to South America, as usual, but to Europe, more precisely to Portugal. The races in Asia and Australia will take place in October, and the final will take place in Valencia as usual (November 14th). Since the races in Argentina and the USA could be rescheduled in the last quarter, changes are still possible.
Who is the MotoGP favorite?
The title race is open like seldom before. Joan Mir (Spain / Suzuki), last year’s sensation winner, is again one of the candidates. There is a question mark behind the former Dominator Marquez after his broken arm and the resulting long break. Fabio Quartararo (France) and Francesco Morbidelli (Italy / both Yamaha) can also be expected, while Jack Miller (Australia / Ducati) will also be at the front.
What’s new?
Superstar Valentino Rossi has left the Yamaha factory team after a total of 15 years and has switched to Petronas, the Japanese manufacturer’s customer racing team. This does not change anything in terms of the material and the requirements for the 42-year-old. For the first time, “The Doctor” competes against his half-brother Luca Marini, the Moto2 runner-up world champion competes for Ducati in the premier class. Andrea Dovizioso, vice world champion from 2017 to 2019, has not found a new place after the dirty separation from Ducati.
What is the coronavirus situation like?
It is still unclear whether and when there will be spectators on the tracks. The drivers were last able to get vaccinated during the test drives in Qatar at the invitation of the government. The second dose should be given on the first race weekend. It was the turn of the Moto2 and Moto3 pilots last week, and the entire paddock including team members got the chance to get an injection. (sid / mn)
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