The weekend marks the return of reigning champion Jorge Martin, who must pass a physical following injury. While a recent social media post showing him doing push-ups suggests optimism, expectations are muted
The 2025 MotoGP season heads to the Lusail International Circuit for Round 4, the Qatar Grand Prix, with the championship battle effectively reset and the reigning world champion making a tentative return. After three rounds, the pecking order is beginning to emerge, though the true shape of the season may not solidify until after the upcoming Jerez test. (More Motorsport News)
Normally, the season opener, the Qatar GP, shifts to April this year due to Ramadan falling in March. This scheduling change means warmer conditions are expected compared to the usual March slot. With the main MotoGP race held two hours after sunset, track temperatures will be a significant factor on the demanding Lusail circuit.
Resurfaced in 2023, the track remains extremely grippy, although it is likely just past its absolute peak grip level after 21 months. However, it remains a highly abrasive surface, exacerbated by the circuit's location near arid land. Sand and dust frequently coat the track, especially if winds pick up, presenting a significant challenge for tire durability.
The weekend marks the return of reigning champion Jorge Martin, who must pass a physical following injury. While a recent social media post showing him doing push-ups suggests optimism, expectations are muted. Martin has missed virtually all preseason testing, leaving him roughly 5000 km behind his rivals in terms of track time and with minimal experience on the 2025 Aprilia RS-GP.
His primary goals will be assessing his fitness during Friday practice and beginning to understand the bike. Lorenzo Savadori remains on standby should Martin feel unable to continue from Saturday's FP2 session. It will likely be some time before Martin is back to full competitiveness.
Meanwhile, the championship fight has been reignited after Marc Marquez crashed out of a commanding lead at the Grand Prix of the Americas. That error saw him relinquish the points lead, dropping one point behind his brother, Gresini Ducati's Alex Marquez. Marc Marquez acknowledged the situation, quipping that "the championship restarts." Despite Alex holding the lead, Marc still views his factory Ducati teammate, Pecco Bagnaia, as the primary rival to watch.
Qatar presents a different challenge for the eight-time champion. Marquez himself admits that, theoretically, Lusail is a track where both Alex Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia "are better than me."
Friday, April 11
Qatar GP MotoGP Free Practice Nr. 1 - 06:15 pm
Qatar GP MotoGP Practice - 10:30 pm
Saturday, April 12
Qatar GP MotoGP Free Practice Nr. 2 - 06:30 pm
Qatar GP MotoGP Qualifying - 07:10 pm
Qatar GP MotoGP Sprint - 11:30 pm
Sunday, April 13
Qatar GP MotoGP Race- 10:30 pm
FanCode will live-stream the full race coverage in high definition and will also provide exclusive highlights, expert insights, and behind-the-scenes videos of the Qatar MotoGP 2025.