Anticipation is building across the region as the MotoGP™ Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar 2023 gets set to return to Lusail International Circuit this weekend!
The high-octane weekend of racing, taking place from 17 to 19 November will see motorsport teams and fans from all over the world descend on Qatar for an adrenaline-fuelled weekend of motorsport.
And that’s not all – for the first time ever, Qatar will play host to the new sprint race of MotoGP™ – a thrilling new Saturday afternoon addition to the 2023 racing calendar.
What is the MotoGP™ Tissot sprint race?
Adding a new level of excitement for riders and spectators alike, the fast and furious sprint battle sees competitors going head-to-head in a race which runs half the distance of Sunday’s Grand Prix. The top nine finishers will be competing for up to 12 world championship points – P1 – 12 points, P2 – 9 points, P3 – 6 points, P4 – 5 points, P5 – 4 points, P6 – 3 points, P7 – 2 points, and P8 – 1 point.
Grid positions for the sprint are based on the results of the morning’s two qualifying sessions, with Sunday’s main race also set to feature the same grid.
How does racing break down across the three-day weekend?
- Friday: Free Practice 1 (45 mins) followed by Practice (60 mins) where riders are timed for entry into Q2
- Saturday: Free Practice 2 (30 mins); Qualifying 1 (15 mins); Qualifying 2 (15 mins); MotoGP™ Sprint
- Sunday: Warm Up (10 mins), Grand Prix race
Are the technical rules different for the MotoGP™ sprint race?
While most current regulations will remain in place for the sprint race as they would for the main Grand Prix, there are some differences:
- Fuel loads will be limited to an allowance of 12 litres for the sprint instead of the 22 litres allowed for the Grand Prix.
- Track limit rules have been adjusted for the sprint race, with the number of allowed infringements before a penalty cut from five to three.
- Any penalty awarded in a sprint race that cannot be served immediately will be carried into the main Grand Prix.
Be part of the action!
Race-goers can be a part of the action by purchasing tickets to watch from the Main Grandstand (General Admission) with access to Lusail Hill. For attendees wanting to take their race weekend experience up a notch, premier hospitality packages are available with various unique opportunities like Pit Lane walks and Paddock access.
Tickets and hospitality packages can be purchased online for the entire race weekend, two-day access or single-day access on the official Lusail International Circuit website.
Tickets also allow access to the MotoGP™ Fan Zone with its host of activities for adults and children, access to MotoGP™ merchandising outlets, use of complimentary return shuttles between Lusail Metro Station to the circuit, as well as easy access to free parking and taxi pick-up and drop-off zone.
Don’t miss out on MotoGP™ Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar 2023, the only night race in the MotoGP™ calendar. The race also marks the latest instalment of hosting the championships in Qatar in nearly two decades!
For more information, visit the official website of Lusail International Circuit and explore all hospitality options.
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