Conditions limit running as testing concludes in Qatar
Dust and sand drastically limited running on the final day of testing, the red flag brought out to allow the circuit to be cleaned at one stage.
Completing only eight laps on the final day, Pol Espargaro ended the final day of testing in fifth with a 2’01.303 – this time was seven seconds off his best lap of the test. Despite the lacklustre end, Espargaro and the entire Repsol Honda Team leave very pleased with the foundations they built over the five days.
Stefan Bradl entered the track after the red flag allowed for the track to be cleaned. Like Espargaro, his laps were limited and Bradl set a best time of 1’49.432 to end the day second.
Action resumes at the Losail International Circuit on Friday, March 26 as Free Practice 1 at 15:40 Local Time marks the official start of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship season.
Pol Espargaro
“I wouldn’t really call what we did laps, but this is what the situation was for everyone. Anyway, with just four days of testing we have done very well. I feel quite prepared for the first race and to do this in such a short time against riders who have been on their bikes a long time, it’s a release. I have adapted to the Honda well; I want to thank all the Repsol Honda Team for their work over these days. The team has been great, and we have made the most of the testing time we are given. Now we see what the season will bring.”
Stefan Bradl
“Unfortunately today there’s not much to talk about because the weather and the sand was not very good, the conditions meant we couldn’t try anything. Six days on the bike here, it started very well but we had a couple of tough moments towards the end – this happens. We have worked through our test plan and now the engineers have a lot of good data to study. We can be happy because the bike is working well, and I think Honda is in a good position for the first race.”
Qatar Test Two - Day Three
| Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
|---|
Location Information
The fabulous Lusail International Circuit lies on the outskirts of Doha, the capital city of Qatar. Built in little over a year, the track cost $58 million USD and required round-the-clock dedication from almost 1,000 workers in order to get it ready for the inaugural event – the Marlboro Grand… read more.
| Length | 5.380 kilometres / 3.343 miles |
| Width | 12 metres |
| Left corners | 6 |
| Right corners | 10 |
| Longest straight | 1.068 kilometres / 0.664 miles |
| Constructed | 2004 |
Losail International Circuit, Al Daayen, Qatar - View in Google Maps
Records
| Pole Position | 1m 50.789s (174.8km/h) Jorge Martin (Ducati, 2024) |
| Race Lap | 1m 52.978s (171.4 km/h) Enea Bastianini (Ducati, 2023) |
| 2024 Sprint Winner | Jorge Martin (Ducati) |
| 2024 Race Winner | Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) |
