Marc Marquez, MotoGP, Qatar MotoGP, 8 March
Marc Marquez, MotoGP, Qatar MotoGP, 8 March

2024 Qatar MotoGP sprint race as it happened

Recap from the opening sprint race of 2024 at the Qatar MotoGP.

After Friday practice was heavily impacted by rain, the traditional second practice that determines who goes through to Q2 directly will instead take place before qualifying.

Jorge Martin ended the opening day fastest after getting the better of Aleix Espargaro and Pedro Acosta.

In the wet FP2 session it was Marc Marquez who led the way, building on an already strong showing in the dry where he finished fourth.

Saturday’s practice and qualifying sessions will be followed by the first sprint race of the year later this afternoon.

In qualifying, it was again Martin who led the way as he claimed pole position ahead of Espargaro and Enea Bastianini. 

09 Mar 2024
11:54

Johann Zarco goes second as Joan Mir crashes at the final corner.

11:53

Disaster for Alex Rins as he's attempting to come back into pit lane from the exit afte pulling up along the front straight.

11:47

Marco Bezzecchi has now split the two Aprilia riders.

11:47

It's currently a Trackhouse Racing 1-2 at the front as Raul Fernandez leads Miguel Oliveira.

11:40
Qualifying 1 is underway in Qatar

The battle to join Q2 has begun.

11:32

It's now time for Q1 at the 2024 Qatar MotoGP!

11:28

Franco Morbidelli has crashed at turn five on the cool down lap. 

11:26
Alex Marquez finishes fastest

Alex Marquez tops the final practice of the weekend as Jorge Martin, Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, Aleix Espargaro and Brad Binder are some of the big names that have also secured a Q2 spot.  Pedro Acosta also managed to claim a top ten place.

11:24

Jack Miller has crashed at turn one.

11:17

Marc Marquez jumps up to second with a very impressive lap. There's just one time attack left for each rider as he enter the final seven minutes.

11:14

Jorge Martin goes quickest as Ducati are beginning to show their hand.

11:12

Bastianini goes fastest by over a tenth from Fabio Di Giannantonio. 

11:06

Wow! What a lap from Miguel Oliveira as he goes top by nearly half a second. It's a first sub 1m 52s lap this weekend for the Aprilia man. 

11:04

Big moment for Marc Marquez on the rear as he remains upright aboard his Gresini Ducati.

11:02
Acosta crashes his KTM

But he's now gone down. Acosta has fallen at turn five. 

11:01

Pedro Acosta goes fastest as the opening time attacks runs have begun. 

10:57

Enea Bastianini looked set to challenge for top spot before losing the rear at the final corner. The Italian managed to remain aboard his factory Ducati. 

10:55

Francesco Bagnaia has moved in to P3. Martin, Fernandez and Bagnaia are separated by +0.052s. 

10:50
Technical issue

Maverick Vinales has been asked to pit by the Aprilia team as smoke is coming from the rear of his machine. 

10:49

Martin's time of 1:52.606s is just 0.008s ahead of Raul Fernandez.

10:48
Luca Marini is the first MotoGP rider to crash

After a clean Friday, Luca Marini has gone down at turn two. 

10:47

Jorge Martin is setting the pace early on as he breaks into the 1m 52s barrier.

10:18

Jorge Martin was fastest on Friday after rain majorly affected the second practice.

10:17

Good morning and welcome to day-two of the Qatar MotoGP. Up first at 10:40 UK time is the final practice session which will dictate who makes it through to Q2 directly.