It’s time to put your feet back on the couch! Once the break period is over, MotoGP fans can celebrate because the new season is about to begin. Francesco Bagnaia is the favorite at the starting blocks of the Qatar GP in Lusailfresh from two consecutive world titles.
Always riding a Ducati, “Pecco” will have the spotlight on him. If in the first triumph he was the author of a sensational comeback over Fabio Quartararo, in the second he was able to defend, tooth and nail, first place in the standings from the continuous assaults of Jorge Martin.
The contenders for the crown
Now, however, we are starting from scratch and the good things done in the past lose their importance. Alongside Bagnaia he will once again have Enea Bastianini, whose debut with the official team was more full of shadows than lights, also due to bad luck. The injury at the beginning of 2023 compromised her start and with the poisoned tooth she will try to take her revenge.
Among the ranks of Pramac there is an important novelty: Franco Morbidelli, called to race together with Martin. But he scored the real headline-grabbing hit Gresini, monopolized in the paddock by the Marquez brothers, given Marc’s arrival after the very long period in Honda. A series of physical problems have affected the last few championships in the Japanese team, which is also less competitive in motorbikes.
To start again, the Spanish centaur has chosen to change completely, breathing the air of home since his younger brother Alex is waiting for him, confirmed. In the candidates for the victory of the MotoGP Qatar GP it is then obligatory to mention Marco Bezzecchi, among the brightest emerging stars of his generation. The Italian standard bearer has already shown what he is made of and with an extra year of experience under his belt he promises to be a tough nut to crack.
Practice, qualifying and race times
The start of the 2024 Qatar GP, visible entirely on Skyis scheduled for tomorrow with the drivers’ press conference set for 12pm. Free practice will start on Friday at 1.45pm and pre-qualifying at 6pm.
On Saturday 9th the time will come to get things done, even more seriously, with qualifying scheduled for 12.40pm, following free practice 2 of 12pm. At 5pm the spectacular sprint will take place, consisting of 11 laps, while on Sunday 10th March the turn will come of the race, the apotheosis of an unmissable weekend. Both the qualifying and the sprint will be broadcast live by TV8, unlike the race, which will be deferred at 9.45pm.
The times live on Sky
Thursday 7 March
- 2pm: drivers’ press conference
Friday 8 March
- 12-12.35pm: Moto3 Free Practice
- 12:50-13:30: Moto2 Free Trials
- 1.45pm-2.30pm: MotoGP Free Practice
Friday 8 March
- 12-12.35 pm:: Moto3 Free Practice
- hours 12:50-13:30:: Moto2 Free Trials
- 1.45pm-2.30pm: MotoGP Free Practice
- hours 16.15-16:50:: Moto3 P1
- hours 17:05-17:45:: Moto2 P1
- 6-7pm:: MotoGP Pre qualifying
Saturday 9 March
- ore 10:30-11: Moto3 P2
- ore 11:15-11:45: Moto2 P2
- ore 12-12:30: MotoGP P2
- 12.40-13.20: MotoGP Qualifying (Q1-Q2)
- 2.50pm-3.30pm: Moto3 Qualifying (Q1-Q2)
- 3.45pm-4.25pm: Moto2 Qualifying (Q1-Q2)
- ore 17: MotoGP Sprint (11 giri)
Sunday 10 March
- ore 13:40-13:50: MotoGP Warm Up
- 3pm: Moto3 Race (16 laps)
- 4.15pm: Moto2 Race (18 laps)
- 6pm: MotoGP Race (22 laps)
Live and deferred schedules on TV8
Saturday 9 March (live)
- 1.40pm-2.20pm: MotoGP Qualifying (Q1-Q2)
- 3.50pm-4.30pm: Moto3 Qualifying (Q1-Q2)
- 4.45pm-5.25pm: Moto2 Qualifying (Q1-Q2)
- ore 17: MotoGP Sprint
Sunday 10 March (deferred)
- 6.45pm: Moto3 Race
- 8pm: Moto2 Race
- 9.45pm: MotoGP Race
