This is the 23rd Grand Prix at Lusail since it joined the calendar in 2004, and the 19th under the floodlights. From 2007 to 2022, it was the season opener before it moved to later in the year in 2023 as the circuit underwent some renovation including stunning new paddock. In 2024 it opened the season again, now we’re back in April at a slightly later date.
Qatar is one of eight Asian countries to host MotoGP along with Indonesia, Turkey, Japan, Malaysia, China, Thailand and India. The track is one of 13 that have hosted in Asia so far: Motegi (72 GP races), Sepang (71), Lusail (65), Suzuka (56), Shah Alam (21), Buriram (18), Shanghai (12), Istanbul (9), Mandalika (9), Fisco/Fuji (8), Sentul (6), Johor (3) and Buddh (3).
MOTOGP™ WINNERS AT LUSAIL
Maverick Viñales 2 (2017, 2021/1) – Enea Bastianini 1 (2022) – Marc Marquez 1 (2014) – Fabio Quartararo 1 (2021/2) – Fabio Di Giannantonio 1 (2023) – Francesco Bagnaia 1 (2024)
SPRINT WINNERS AT LUSAIL
Jorge Martin 2 (2023, 2024)
FACTORIES AT LUSAIL: BEST RESULTS
GP wins Yamaha 10 – Ducati 8 – Honda 3
Sprint wins Ducati 2
Yamaha is the most successful manufacturer at Lusail with 10 MotoGP wins for four riders: Valentino Rossi (2005, 2006, 2010, 2015), Jorge Lorenzo (2012, 2013, 2016), Maverick Viñales (2017, 2021/1) and Fabio Quartararo (2021/2). Ducati have had eight MotoGP wins in Qatar with five riders, Casey Stoner (2007, 2008, 2009), Andrea Dovizioso
(2018, 2019), Enea Bastianini (2022), Fabio Di Giannantonio (2023) and Francesco Bagnaia (2024). Ducati have also won the two Sprints so far here, with Jorge Martin (2023, 2024). Honda have had three MotoGP™ wins in Qatar with three riders: Sete Gibernau (2004), Casey Stoner (2011) and Marc Marquez (2014). KTM made their full-time debut in MotoGP here in 2017 and have had two podiums in Qatar: P2s with Brad Binder in 2022 and in 2024. Aprilia have a best MotoGP™ result in Qatar is P4 with Aleix Espargaro (2022) and Maverick Viñales (2023).
10 current riders have MotoGP podiums here: M. Marquez (5), Bagnaia (3), Viñales (2), Johann Zarco (2), Binder (2), Martin (2), Di Giannantonio (1), Luca Marini (1), Bastianini (1), Quartararo (1). 6 have taken pole: Martin (3), Viñales (2), M. Marquez (1), Zarco (1), Marini (1), Bagnaia (1).
WHAT HAPPENS IF…
114 If Marc Marquez finishes in the top three, it will be his 114th MotoGP podium, equalling MotoGP Legend Jorge Lorenzo in second on the list of riders with the most podiums.
84 If a Ducati qualifies in the top three, it will be the 84th consecutive GP that a Ducati rider starts on the front row, a run that stretches back to Valencia 2020.
70 Ducati are on a streak of 69 podiums in a row. Another will extend their own record to 70. The last manufacturer with more than 70 podiums in a row is Honda with 83 from the FIM GP 1993 to the Imola GP 1999.
21 A Ducati win would be their 21st in a row, extending their personal record. The last manufacturer with 21 (or more) MotoGP wins in a row is Honda’s 22 in a row from Malaysia 1997 to the 1998 Dutch TT.
20 Rookie Fermin Aldeguer will be 20 years and 8 days old on Sunday and can become the youngest MotoGP™ winner ahead of Marc Marquez (20 years and 63 days old in Austin, 2013).
7 Since 2019, there have been six MotoGP winners at Lusail: Dovizioso (2019), Viñales (2021/1), Quartararo (2021/2), Bastianini (2022), Di Giannantonio (2023) and Bagnaia (2024). Another would make it seven in the last seven GPs.
7 There are seven riders on the grid who could take their maiden MotoGP win this weekend: Alex Marquez, Raul Fernandez, Luca Marini, Pedro Acosta and rookies Ai Ogura, Somkiat Chantra and Fermin Aldeguer.
1 Aprilia and KTM riders could give their factory a maiden premier class win at Lusail.
