Qatar GP Sprint Race Results

The first sprint race of the season was held under the floodlights of the Qatari circuit. In a short 11-lap race, Jorge Martín (Ducati) took a dominant victory over his rivals. Behind him were several riders who fought for the other podium spots, with Brad Binder (KTM) and Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia) completing the rostrum.

Pecco Bagnaia, Marc Márquez, Enea Bastianini, Alex Márquez, Pedro Acosta, Maverick Viñales and Jack Miller were the riders who rounded out a tight Top 10.

This result leaves Jorge Martín as leader of the MotoGP standings with 12 points.

The action on the first Sunday of the year will begin at 13:40 (CEST) local time with the MotoGP Warm Up. The premier class contest gets underway at 18:00 (CEST).

First race of the year completed for Repsol Honda Team

The Repsol Honda Team riders faced their first race of the year, accumulating kilometres and valuable data for the Qatar GP itself.

Joan Mir, who started from 17th position, got a clean start that allowed him to climb positions during the course of the race. As the laps went by and tyre wear began to become a factor, he struggled to maintain his place, finally achieving 15th.

Luca Marini made his official debut with the Repsol Honda Team in this sprint race, and he finished in the same position in which he started: 21st. The Italian’s completion of the contest will stand him in good stead for the race itself on Sunday.

Sprint Race Results: Qatar GP (11 laps)

General Standings

Statements

Joan Mir

“In the last part of the race we were able to run in the 53 lows and I was catching the second group, which was quite good. I was able to overtake, and I finished the race with a good feeling. Our position isn’t the best, but there are positives about the feeling. There was something in the first five laps that then disappeared that we need to check because after that I could do my pace. I think tomorrow will give us a chance to show what we can really do, fighting close to the top ten and being there.”

Luca Marini

“A strange day speaking honestly because I was not expecting to be so far, nor were the team. All weekend, and in the test, I was more or less with the Honda riders but today we were very far. First, we need to understand why because the feeling was not what it has been. I was really strong in braking but we need to improve a lot in other areas. It’s the first race we have done so there is certainly more to come and I am confident we will get there.”