MotoGP testing in Qatar to be held under wet conditions

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Bengaluru/Doha, February 26: The final winter testing of the MotoGP season to be held at the floodlit Losail circuit in Qatar from March 1 to 3 will be held under wet conditions after the FIM Safety Commission decided to give the riders a chance to test damp coniditions.

It may be recalled that last year's season opener in Qatar was marred by unseasonal rains and though the race went ahead, it was only after a slight delay due to the dampness on the track. The riders later complained about lack of sufficient preparation, especially when it comes to racing under the lights.

The Qatar Grand Prix is the only night-race of FIM World Championship calendar.

An unofficial test in wet conditions was conducted by FIM Safety Officers Franco Uncini and Loris Capirossi and it had the stamp of approval from the Commercial Rights holder Dorna Sports.

Capirossi, a former MotoGP rider himself, chaired the Safety Commission meeting, which was attended by all riders except Valentino Rossi and the general consensus arrived was to have a wet test session in Qatar so that the riders the chance to evaluate how feasible racing in the wet at the Middle Eastern venue would be.

Just like in Formula One's Barcelona test last year, water tankers will be used to douse the track at the 5.3km Losail circuit, which has been on the FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar since 2004.

The MotoGP winter tests in Qatar is the third and final pre-season one after Sepang (Malaysia) and Buriram (Thailand).

After the final round of winter tests, the MotoGP riders will return back to Qatar for the 2018 season opener which begins on March 18.