The Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix () is a motorcycling event that is part of the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing season.
The Lusail race track in Qatar represents the debut race of each MotoGP season. In 2008, the track held the first night event in MotoGP history. The 2008 night event, aside from drawing boosted viewing which also coincided with the race being moved to the opening spot on the calendar, was initiated with the intent of increasing equipment performance: the day-time heat in Qatar has been hazardous to the conditions of tires and expensive, customized parts on the multimillion-dollar motorcycles. Rider safety notwithstanding, the extreme heat could be a critical variable contributing to defeat. Qatar's Grand Prix is the only event in the entire MotoGP calendar to be held at night.
The 2020 MotoGP race was scheduled to open the season before being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Moto2 and Moto3 classes proceeded as planned.
The event is due to take place at the Lusail International Circuit until at least 2031.
Official names and sponsors 2004–2005: Marlboro Grand Prix of Qatar 2006–2016: Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar 2017–2018, 2022: Grand Prix of Qatar (no official sponsor) 2019: VisitQatar Grand Prix 2020: QNB Grand Prix of Qatar 2021: Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar 2023–present: Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar
Criticism The race has been argued to be an example of sportswashing.
Winners
Multiple winners (riders)
# Wins Rider Wins Category Years won 6 Jorge Lorenzo MotoGP 2012, 2013, 2016 250cc 2006, 2007 125cc 2004 5 Casey Stoner MotoGP 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 250cc 2005 4 Valentino Rossi MotoGP 2005, 2006, 2010, 2015 3 Maverick Viñales MotoGP 2017, 2021 Moto3 2012 Marc Márquez MotoGP 2014, 2025 Moto2 2012 2 Nicolás Terol 125cc 2010, 2011 Andrea Dovizioso MotoGP 2018, 2019 Jaume Masià Moto3 2021, 2023 Francesco Bagnaia MotoGP 2024 Moto2 2018
Multiple winners (manufacturers)
# Wins Manufacturer Wins Category Years won 12 Aprilia 250cc 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 125cc 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Kalex Moto2 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025 10 Honda MotoGP 2004, 2011, 2014 Moto3 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 20239 Yamaha MotoGP 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021 Ducati MotoGP 2007, 2008, 2009, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 6 KTM Moto3 2013, 2014, 2020, 2021, 2025 125cc 2005 2 Suter Moto2 2010, 2012 Boscoscuro Moto2 2023, 2024
By year Year Track Moto3 Moto2 MotoGP ReportRiderManufacturerRiderManufacturerRiderManufacturer Lusail Ángel Piqueras KTM Arón Canet Kalex Marc Márquez Ducati Report David Alonso CFMoto Alonso López Boscoscuro Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Report Jaume Masià Honda Fermín Aldeguer Boscoscuro Fabio Di Giannantonio Ducati Report Andrea Migno Honda Celestino Vietti Kalex Enea Bastianini Ducati Report Jaume Masià KTM Sam Lowes Kalex Maverick Viñales Yamaha Report Albert Arenas KTM Tetsuta Nagashima Kalex Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic concerns Report Kaito Toba Honda Lorenzo Baldassarri Kalex Andrea Dovizioso Ducati Report Jorge Martín Honda Francesco Bagnaia Kalex Andrea Dovizioso Ducati Report Joan Mir Honda Franco Morbidelli Kalex Maverick Viñales Yamaha Report Niccolò Antonelli Honda Thomas Lüthi Kalex Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Report Alexis Masbou Honda Jonas Folger Kalex Valentino Rossi Yamaha Report Jack Miller KTM Esteve Rabat Kalex Marc Márquez Honda Report 2013 Luis Salom KTM Pol Espargaró Kalex Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Report 2012 Maverick Viñales FTR Honda Marc Márquez Suter Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Report Year Track 125cc Moto2 MotoGP ReportRiderManufacturerRiderManufacturerRiderManufacturer 2011 Lusail Nicolás Terol Aprilia Stefan Bradl Kalex Casey Stoner Honda Report 2010 Nicolás Terol Aprilia Shoya Tomizawa Suter Valentino Rossi Yamaha Report Year Track 125cc 250cc MotoGP ReportRiderManufacturerRiderManufacturerRiderManufacturer 2009 Lusail Andrea Iannone Aprilia Héctor Barberá Aprilia Casey Stoner Ducati Report 2008 Sergio Gadea Aprilia Mattia Pasini Aprilia Casey Stoner Ducati Report 2007 Héctor Faubel Aprilia Jorge Lorenzo Aprilia Casey Stoner Ducati Report 2006 Álvaro Bautista Aprilia Jorge Lorenzo Aprilia Valentino Rossi Yamaha Report 2005 Gábor Talmácsi KTM Casey Stoner Aprilia Valentino Rossi Yamaha Report 2004 Jorge Lorenzo Derbi Sebastián Porto Aprilia Sete Gibernau Honda Report
References