2021 Qatar MotoGP - Full Qualifying Results & Zarco sets new top speed record!

The full Qatar MotoGP race grid order, with Johann Zarco setting a simply unreal top speed record on the Ducati Desmosedici GP.

2021 Qatar MotoGP - Full Qualifying Results & Zarco sets new top speed record!

QATAR MotoGP qualifying results are in, and we now know how the riders will line-up on the grid for the first race of the 2021 season. Plus, Johann Zarco sets a mind-blowing speed record atop the Desmosedici GP.

Francesco Bagnaia will sit at the front of the grid, taking pole position and setting a blisteringly quick time of 1’52.772s. The Monster Yamaha team were close behind, with Fabio Quartararo (+0.266s) and Maverick Viñales (+0.316s) taking the 2nd and 3rd spot, and completing the front row of the starting grid. 

Valentino Rossi (+0.342s) will be reasonably happy with his 4th spot, although he was briefly on the front row before Viñales fought back to take 3rd by only 3-one-hundredths of a second.

MotoGP Motorbikes Specs Comparison | Visordown.com

New top speed record for MotoGP

Meanwhile, Johann Zarco on the Pramac Ducati was setting an unreal top speed record in FP4 - managing 362.4 km/h (!) at Losail, 225.185 mph. I wonder how many times that speed conversion has been entered into Google..!

He becomes the first premier class rider to go over 360 km/h and breaks the previous record held by Andrea Dovizioso by 5.7 km/h. 

Not to say he was alone, mind. Jorge Martin set 358.8 km/h in Q1, and Jack Miller set 357.6 km/h in Q2 - both also breaking the Dovi record from 2019, and it’s only the first race weekend!

Incredible stuff, the Desmosedici engine is incredible, and to think that same tech is available on Ducati road bikes! Plus, it’s a lot of Ducati in the Top 10. These MotoGP bikes are just becoming faster and faster, let’s just hope they can stop quicker as well… the tracks aren’t getting any bigger (with any longer run-offs). 

Where to watch the 2021 Qatar MotoGP | MotoGP

The first race of the season starts at 6 pm in the UK, and you can watch it on BT Sport on your TV. Moto2 race at 4.30pm, whilst Moto3 is at 3pm. 

If you fancy a live commentary, check out crash.net.

Full 2021 Qatar Qualifying Results

2021 Qatar MotoGP | Full Qualifying Results & Starting Grid
POSRiderTeamTime (Diff)

1

Francesco BagnaiaDucati Team (GP21)1'52.772s

2

Fabio QuartararoMonster Yamaha (YZR-M1)+0.266s

3

Maverick ViñalesMonster Yamaha (YZR-M1)+0.316s

4

Valentino RossiPetronas Yamaha (YZR-M1)+0.342s

5

Jack MillerDucati Team (GP21)+0.443s

6

Johann ZarcoPramac Ducati (GP21)+0.514s

7

Franco MorbidelliPetronas Yamaa (YZR-M1)+0.541s

8

Aleix Espargaro Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)+0.543s

9

Alex Rins Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)+0.718s

10

Joan MirSuzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)+0.910s

11

Takaaki NakagamiLCR Honda (RC213V)+0.949s

12

Pol EspargaroRepsol Honda (RC213V)+1.158s

13

Enea BastianiniAvintia Ducati (GP19)1'53.733s

14

Jorge MartinPramac Ducati (GP21)1'53.84s

15

Miguel OliveiraRed Bull KTM (RC16)1'53.915s

16

Alex MarquezLCR Honda (RC213V)1'53.958s

17

Stefan BradlRepsol Honda (RC213V)1'53.995s

18

Luca MariniSky VR46 Avintia Ducati (GP19)1'54.122s

19

Brad BinderRed Bull KTM (RC16)1'54.24s

20

Danilo PetrucciKTM Tech3 (RC16)1'54.443s

21

Iker LecuonaKTM Tech3 (RC16)1'54.627s

22

Lorenzo SavadoriAprilia Gresini (RS-GP)1'55.183s