MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix – how to watch, start time, & more
Francesco Bagnaia claimed his maiden MotoGP pole position ahead of his factory Ducati debut at the 2021 opener Qatar Grand Prix. Here’s how and when you can watch the race.

In a stunning show of speed in qualifying, Bagnaia destroyed the lap record at the Losail International Circuit with a 1m52.772s to take his first premier class pole position, beating a trio of Yamaha riders in the process.
Fabio Quartararo led the charge for Yamaha to take second place ahead of team-mate Maverick Vinales, with Valentino Rossi impressing on his Petronas SRT debut to take fourth place.
Jack Miller slotted into fifth place for Ducati having initially challenged for pole position, with Pramac Ducati’s Johann Zarco completing the second row.
Despite topping FP3, Franco Morbidelli had to settle for seventh place in qualifying in an otherwise encouraging performance for the Yamaha riders.
Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro and Suzuki’s Alex Rins round out the third row, leaving defending MotoGP world champion Joan Mir in 10th place after he had to progress through Q1 in qualifying.
Fellow Q1 graduate Takaaki Nakagami qualified 11th for LCR Honda ahead of new factory Repsol Honda rider Pol Espargaro.

Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team
Photo by: Repsol Media
Marc Marquez remains out of action for Repsol Honda as he continues to recover from his arm injury, and confirmed earlier this week he will miss the opening two races in Qatar.
When is the MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix?
- Date: Sunday 28th March 2021
- Start time: 6:00pm BST, 8:00pm local time
How can I watch the Qatar MotoGP?
In the United Kingdom, BT Sport have exclusive live broadcasting television rights. The race will be shown live on BT Sport 2, with race coverage starting at 5:30pm BST, directly after the Moto2 race.
BT Sport will also be showing the Moto3 and Moto2 races from Qatar.
- TV Channel: BT Sport 2
- Start time: 5:30pm BST
MotoGP also offers its own live online video streaming service which is available to stream in the UK.
How can I watch the Qatar MotoGP highlights?
ITV4 has secured a deal to show the highlights of each MotoGP round in 2021, including highlights of the Moto2 and Moto3 classes, which will be broadcast on each Monday evening after the race.
- TV Channel: ITV4
- Start time: Monday 29th March - 8:00pm BST
What's the weather forecast for the race in Qatar?
Dry and clear conditions are forecast for the Qatar Grand Prix at the Losail International Circuit on Sunday night, with a very low chance of rain and a high of 20 degrees Celsius.
MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix - Qualifying results
Cla | Rider | Bike | Laps | Time | Gap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | | Ducati | 7 | 1'52.772 | |
2 | | Yamaha | 6 | 1'53.038 | 0.266 |
3 | | Yamaha | 7 | 1'53.088 | 0.316 |
4 | | Yamaha | 7 | 1'53.114 | 0.342 |
5 | | Ducati | 7 | 1'53.215 | 0.443 |
6 | | Ducati | 7 | 1'53.286 | 0.514 |
7 | | Yamaha | 6 | 1'53.313 | 0.541 |
8 | | Aprilia | 7 | 1'53.315 | 0.543 |
9 | | Suzuki | 7 | 1'53.490 | 0.718 |
10 | | Suzuki | 7 | 1'53.682 | 0.910 |
View full results |
Related video

Binder "sick" at thought of Qatar MotoGP top 10 being good result
Rins needed "more balls" for stronger Qatar MotoGP qualifying lap

Latest news
Why Honda and Yamaha have been left behind in MotoGP's new era
The once all-conquering Japanese manufacturers are going through a difficult period in MotoGP this season. With Suzuki quitting, Honda struggling to get near the podium and Yamaha only enjoying success courtesy of Fabio Quartararo, Japanese manufacturers have been left in the dust by their European counterparts. Key paddock figures explain why.
Who is Valentino Rossi’s newest MotoGP star?
Valentino Rossi’s protégés stole the show at Assen as Francesco Bagnaia stormed to victory to arrest a recent barren run. But it was the rider in second, on Bagnaia’s old bike, who had all eyes on him. Securing his and the VR46 team’s first MotoGP podium, Marco Bezzecchi has all the characteristics that made his mentor special
How Quartararo is evoking an absent MotoGP great in 2022
OPINION: Fabio Quartararo has seized control of the 2022 MotoGP world standings after another dominant victory as his nearest rivals faltered. And he is very much heading towards a second championship echoing how the dominator of the last decade achieved much of his success
The human importance of Marquez’s latest enforced MotoGP absence
OPINION: Marc Marquez will likely sit out the remainder of the 2022 MotoGP season to undergo a fourth major operation on the right arm he badly broke in 2020. It is hoped it will return him to his brilliant best after a tough start to the season without a podium to his name. But it’s the human victory that will far outweigh any future on-track success he may go on to have
Why Ducati holds all the power in its MotoGP rider dilemma
OPINION: The French Grand Prix looks to have made Ducati’s decision on its factory team line-up simpler, as Enea Bastianini stormed to his third win of the campaign and Jorge Martin crashed out for a fifth time in 2022. But, as Ducati suggests to Autosport, it remains in the strongest position in a wild rider market
The seismic aftershock left by Suzuki's decision to leave MotoGP
Suzuki's sudden decision to leave the MotoGP World Championship at the end of the season has acted as a stirring element in a market that had already erupted. Autosport analyses what this means for the grid going into 2023
How the real Ducati began to emerge in MotoGP’s Spanish GP
Ducati’s 2022 MotoGP bike has had a tough start to life and the expected early-season title charge from Francesco Bagnaia did not materialise. But the Spanish Grand Prix signalled a turning point for both the GP22 and Bagnaia, as the 2021 runner-up belatedly got his season underway after a straight fight with Fabio Quartararo
How Honda's praise for its 2022 MotoGP bike has turned into doubt
In a little over two months, Honda has gone from setting the pace in MotoGP testing with its new RC213V prototype to being at a crossroads - caused by the discrepancy in its riders' feedback. After a Portuguese GP that underwhelmed, serious questions are now being asked of Honda in 2022