Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Márquez are ready to face one of the most passionate weekends of the calendar: the magical setting of Doha this week will host the Qatar GP. A track that is always well suited to Ducati and capable of enhancing the technical characteristics of the Desmosedici GP with 8 wins since 2004 and three consecutive victories in the last three editions (’22 Bastianini, ’23 Di Giannantonio, ’24 Bagnaia).
Coming from the first place at the GP of the Americas, third in the general classification and winner at Lusail last year, Pecco will take the track to be competitive right from the first free practice sessions.
Bitter taste for the premature epilogue in Texas when he was leading the race, but very fast throughout this first part of the season with three pole positions and five victories between Sprint and GP, Marc, who has won here only once, aims to resume the streak of positive results.
First appointment on track for both, Friday April 11th at 15:45 local time (14:45 in Italy) for the first free practice session.
Marc Márquez (#93 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 2nd (86 points)
“Closing a weekend that has been practically perfect until that point with a crash is something that leaves a bitter taste. It’s a shame, it was a fraction of a second and we need to get back to work and continue to stay focused. We have great potential, Ducati has always been competitive on this track and we can do well”.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 3rd (75 points)
“Getting back at work on the track after a win is always nice. The final epilogue in Austin was fantastic and I’m also very happy because compared to the previous GP my feelings while riding were better. We still have a lot to do, there’s a lot of work ahead of us, but this track is known to bring out the characteristics and potential of the Desmosedici GP”.
Circuit Information
- Country: Qatar
- Name: Lusail International Circuit
- Fastest lap: P. Acosta (KTM), 01:52.657 (161.9 km/h) – 2024
- Circuit record: J. Martin (Ducati), 01:50.789 (174.8 km/h) – 2024
- Maximum speed: J. Zarco (Ducati), 362,4 km/h – 2021
- Track length: 5.38 km
- Sprint race distance: 11 laps (59.2 km)
- Race distance: 22 laps (118.26 km)
- Turns: 16 (10 right, 6 left)
