A lead of ten seconds or more? This has long been no rarity in MotoGP. Especially in the dominant Honda– and Yamaha-Times in the 2000s and early 2010s, the premier class was often dominated by a few riders, who often drove to unchallenged victories. But those times are long gone, and MotoGP in the 2020s is more competitive and contested than ever. One race took it to the extreme, Motorsport-Magazin.com recalls.
Our journey takes us back to the beginning of the 2021 MotoGP season and to QatarThe first race of the year was held there on March 28th, and just one week later the second race weekend followed on the Lusail International Circuit. The ongoing corona pandemic made the double header necessary: planned races in Argentina, Japan, Thailand or Australia were not possible, and the guest appearance in the USA had to be postponed until the end of the year. This is how the Doha Grand Prix came about on April 4th, 2021.
Rookie Jorge Martin takes sensational pole
It was already clear on Saturday that it would be a special race weekend. At that time, a 23-year-old rookie named Jorge Martin sensationally secured pole position in only his second MotoGP qualifying. Could he pull off the big surprise on race Sunday? Fabio Quartararo, Francesco Bagnaia, Jack Miller, Johann Zarco, Maverick Vinales and co. were determined to prevent it.
But the rookie in Pramac-Ducati services did not make life easy for the seasoned stars of the premier class. On the contrary: Thanks to a perfect start, Martin was in the lead not only after the first corner, but well into the 22-lap race. Teammate Johann Zarco provided important support, as runner-up he fended off several attacks from Alex Rins and Bagnaia.
Fabio Quartararo prevents Martin’s debut victory
Only in the final phase could the Pramac double lead be cracked – by Fabio Quartararo. The Frenchman first caught fellow countryman Zarco on lap 18 and then Martin one lap later in the winding infield of the track. From there he was able to pull far enough ahead to the start/finish straight to avoid being caught again by the Ducati power. Quartararo then controlled the action until the end and took his first MotoGP victory as a Yamaha factory rider, with Zarco snatching second place from his teammate Martin in the final meters.
What’s special: When Quartararo crossed the finish line, MotoGP fans only had to wait a few moments until all the points positions had been taken. A look at the archives of Tissot, the ‘Official Timekeeper of MotoGP’, shows that the top 15 were only separated by 8.928 seconds in the Doha Grand Prix – an incredible result that to this day is by far the closest in MotoGP history. Qatar 2019 and Thailand 2023 follow in second place with 15.093 seconds between the winner and position 15.
How this could happen is quickly explained. The Doha Grand Prix 2021 was not only the second race weekend within seven days at the Lusail International Circuit, it was also the only Winter test rides of the year took place. Between March 6th and 12th, MotoGP tested for a total of five days in Qatar. At the start of the Doha GP, the riders had more data than ever at their disposal and the bike setups had been perfected. Since there were not many crashes, it was the closest finish in MotoGP history.