MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix qualifying - Start time, how to watch & more

After a crash midway through first practice, Jack Miller fought back to top the second practice session for Ducati, leading a factory 1-2 for the Italian manufacturer ahead of team-mate Francesco Bagnaia.

The Italian rider went within 0.035 seconds of top spot but had to abort his final flying lap after Pol Espargaro crashed late on for Honda.

New factory Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo grabbed third place ahead of fellow countryman Johann Zarco for Pramac Ducati, with Alex Rins leading the Suzuki charge in fifth place.

But fellow Suzuki rider and defending MotoGP world champion Joan Mir struggled in FP2, as he ended up 11th and outside of the provisional Q2 places ahead of qualifying.

With Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) in sixth, that edged FP1 timesheet-topper Franco Morbidelli (Petronas SRT) down to seventh place with Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro in eighth.

Valentino Rossi made a solid start to his first race weekend with the Petronas SRT Yamaha squad in ninth place as Honda newcomer Espargaro rounded out the top 10 despite his late crash.

Marc Marquez remains absent 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. 

Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

What time does qualifying start for the Qatar MotoGP?

Qualifying for the Qatar MotoGP is set to start at 8:00pm local time (5:00pm GMT), using the regular Q1 and Q2 sessions format. Qualifying takes place directly after the 30-minute FP4 session, which is set to start at 7:20pm local time (4:20pm GMT).

The fastest 10 MotoGP riders on the FP1-2-3 combined timesheet automatically head into Q2, with the rest of the riders entering Q1 of qualifying. The two riders who are fastest in the 15-minute Q1 session will progress into Q2 to compete with the top 10 from practice. Q2, which also lasts 15 minutes, decides who gets pole position and the qualifying order for the front four rows of the grid.

Date: Saturday 27 March 2021
Start time: 8:00pm local time (5:00pm GMT)

How can I watch qualifying?

In the United Kingdom every MotoGP practice, qualifying and race is broadcast live on BT Sport.

Qatar MotoGP qualifying will be broadcast on BT Sport 2, with the programme starting at 2pm GMT to also cover qualifying for the Moto3 and Moto2 classes.

TV Channel: BT Sport 2
Start time: 2:00pm GMT

MotoGP also offers its own live online video streaming service which is available to stream in the UK.

Jack Miller, Ducati Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

What's the weather forecast for qualifying in Qatar?

Dry and clear conditions are forecast for qualifying at the Losail International Circuit on Saturday night, with a very low chance of rain and a high of 32 degrees Celsius.

FP2 Results

Cla	Rider	Laps	Time	Gap
1	Jack Miller	17	1'53.387
2	Francesco Bagnaia	16	1'53.422	0.035
3	Fabio Quartararo	17	1'53.575	0.188
4	Johann Zarco	18	1'53.586	0.199
5	Alex Rins	19	1'53.623	0.236
6	Maverick Viñales	18	1'53.639	0.252
7	Franco Morbidelli	19	1'53.676	0.289
8	Aleix Espargaro	16	1'53.727	0.340
9	Valentino Rossi	19	1'53.874	0.487
10	Pol Espargaro	18	1'53.901	0.514
View full results

FP1 Results

Cla	Rider	Laps	Time	Gap
1	Franco Morbidelli	17	1'54.921
2	Aleix Espargaro	15	1'55.046	0.125
3	Jack Miller	13	1'55.112	0.191
4	Fabio Quartararo	16	1'55.213	0.292
5	Joan Mir	15	1'55.255	0.334
6	Maverick Viñales	18	1'55.309	0.388
7	Alex Rins	18	1'55.353	0.432
8	Francesco Bagnaia	16	1'55.365	0.444
9	Valentino Rossi	15	1'55.419	0.498
10	Miguel Oliveira	17	1'55.745	0.824
View full results