QATAR GP 2026: WEEKEND SCHEDULE AND KEY STORYLINES
3 Nov 2026·
MotoGP returns to Qatar for the 2026 Grand Prix at Lusail International Circuit, where the championship has raced since 2004. The 5.380-kilometre venue has 16 corners—10 right-handers and six left-handers—and a 1.068-kilometre main straight. Speeds regularly exceed 350 km/h. Since 2008, the event has been held under floodlights.
Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner each won four MotoGP races in Qatar. Jorge Lorenzo claimed three premier-class victories and leads the circuit’s all-class tally with six wins.
Marc Marquez arrives as defending Qatar winner after taking both the sprint and Grand Prix in 2025. He leads Jorge Martin by 44 points and could secure his 10th world title at this event, the third-last round of the 2026 season. Martin, who has been dealing with a broken wrist, had to withdraw from the Malaysian weekend. He is expected to try to race in Qatar if his condition allows.
The event is proceeding despite continuing uncertainty in the Middle East. Yamaha announced in Malaysia that it will not take part, leaving Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Jack Miller and test rider Augusto Fernandez absent from the Qatar weekend.
For viewers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the schedule below is in Central European Time, two hours behind local time. MotoGP’s 11-lap sprint starts at 17:00 on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday’s 22-lap Grand Prix begins at the same time on November 8.
**Friday, November 6:** Moto3 practice runs from 11:00, followed by Moto2 at 11:50 and MotoGP at 12:45. Afternoon practice begins with Moto3 at 15:15, Moto2 at 16:05 and MotoGP at 17:00.
**Saturday, November 7:** The morning sessions start with Moto3 at 10:30, Moto2 at 11:15 and MotoGP at 12:00. MotoGP qualifying follows at 12:40 and 13:05. Moto3 qualifying is scheduled for 14:50 and 15:15, then Moto2 qualifying at 15:45 and 16:10. The sprint starts at 17:00.
**Sunday, November 8:** MotoGP warm-up is at 12:40. The Moto3 race starts at 14:00 over 16 laps, followed by the 18-lap Moto2 race at 15:15. The MotoGP Grand Prix is scheduled for 17:00.