The Qatar Grand Prix concludes with historical milestones as over 55,000 spectators attended the MotoGP™ races across the weekend. This marks the highest turnout ever recorded for any MotoGP™ Grand Prix hosted by Lusail International Circuit (LIC).
Riders from each MotoGP™ category competed in races that determined their fate to win the title in Qatar.
Before the on-track excitement, a grand opening ceremony showcased various local entities. LIC collaborated with Qatar Youth Choir from Qatar Music Academy and Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra to perform a captivating rendition of the Qatari national anthem that captivated the audience in anticipation of the racing spectacle.
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Outstanding race performances
All eyes were on Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) after his outstanding performance in the Tissot Sprint Race on Saturday. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Fabio Di Gianntonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) took the title, marking his first Grand Prix win, ahead of reigning World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and then Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing) in P2 and P3, respectively.
The entire circuit cheered as the top 3 riders took the podium. Luca Marini received the third-place trophy from Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) Executive Director and LIC CEO Amro Al Hamad; Francesco Bagnaia was awarded the second-place trophy by QMMF Chairman and LIC President Abdulrahman bin Abdul Latif Al Mannai. The championship trophy for MotoGP™ Qatar Airways Grand Prix Of Qatar 2023 was presented to Fabio Di Gianntonio by Qatar Airways Group CEO Engineer Badr Mohammed Al-Meer.
QMMF and LIC President Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai shared how delighted they are by the incredible success of the MotoGP™ Qatar Airways Grand Prix Of Qatar 2023. He said that the monumental turnout of over 55,000 fans is a testament to the flourishing motorsports culture in Qatar. The positive response from the teams, riders, and dedicated organisers at DornaSports has been exceptional, he added.
We look forward to hosting more events that showcase Qatar’s passion for motorsports but also spotlight our commitment to delivering top-notch experiences for fans and participants alike.
After a record-breaking performance across the weekend, Fermin Aldeguer (SpeedUp racing) solidified his position in the championship by securing the win of the Moto2™ race. This marks Fermin Aldeguer’s third win in a row. He was followed by Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46) who achieved his first podium finish in the Grand Prix World Championship.
In a thrilling race and fierce competition with contender Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), Moto3™ rider Jaume Masia from Leopard Racing won the World Championship title. This is the rider’s first world title, which brings him to a total of 271 points leading in the overall scoreboard of the championship.
Once again, Veda Pratama from Indonesia maintained P1 at the second race of the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup making him an overall champion in one of the biggest platforms for emerging talent in MotoGP™.
Hero Walk, Fan Zone
The first 500 lucky fans to enter the circuit got a chance to watch their favourite MotoGP™ riders in the Hero Walk. The riders signed autographs and took photos with fans in the MotoGP™ Paddock area.
During the races, The Fan Zone also beamed with spectators cheering on their favourite riders in the floodlights. Later, fans immersed themselves in the Qatari culture and participated in multiple engaging activities in the Fan Zone. Activities such as the electric motorcycle racing for kids, arcade games and a live painting station kept visitors entertained beyond the track.
A Lusail International Circuit initiative, the MotoGP™ Junior Reporter programme, aimed at fostering an appreciation for Qatar’s vibrant motorsports culture among the younger generation, achieved resounding success. The programme featured three enthusiastic kids who skillfully captured the highlights of the race weekend and conducted interviews with multiple MotoGP™ riders.
For those of you who missed the excitement this weekend, here’s a roundup of the race:
MotoGP™ Qatar Airways Grand Prix Of Qatar 2023 Roundup Stats
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