Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts

Qatar to remain MotoGP season opener; Finland, Indonesia added to 2022 calendar

Just like the previous seasons, the Qatar Grand Prix at Losail circuit will remain the only night-race of the 21-leg calendar that starts in March and concludes in November.

Losail International Circuit

Bengaluru, October 7: The Losail International Circuit in Qatar will continue to host the opening race of MotoGP next season after the provisional calendar for 2022 FIM World Championship was released that include visits to two new venues -- Indonesia and Finland.

Just like the previous seasons, the Qatar Grand Prix at Losail circuit will remain the only night-race of the 21-leg calendar that starts in March and concludes in November.

Recently, the 5.3kms long floodlit circuit was awarded the rights to host an inaugural Formula 1 race as a replacement for the now-cancelled Australian Grand Prix.

Qatar F1: All you need to know about Losail circuitQatar F1: All you need to know about Losail circuit

The MotoGP riders will take part in a two-day 2022 pre-eason test in Jerez after the season ends on November 18 and 19.

The MotoGP class will then have two pre-season tests early in 2022, plus the shakedown test at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia for factory test riders and rookies only.

The second test will take place at the new Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia. Set up takes place on the two days preceding MotoGP tests.

Night race

Night race

The Losail International Circuit has been hosting a round of the FIM MotoGP World Championship since 2004. From 2008, the Qatar MotoGP has been hosting the only night race of the FIM calendar.

And from 2009, it has become the season opener, replacing the Phillip Island Circuit in Australia.

Floodlit circuit

Floodlit circuit

The circuit has also hosted World Superbike Championship, World Touring Car Championship rounds and Asian Road Racing Championships under the lights.

Currently, the Losail circuit has around 3,600 bulbs across 1,000 structures dotted around the circuit to illuminate the 5.3kms track.

Street circuit

Street circuit

After the traditional season opener in Qatar on March 8, the MotoGP caravan moves to the brand-new Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia for the first time. After a weekend off, an Argentina and Americas double-header kicks off April in style, with a trip to Portimao on April 24 acting as the first European race of the season.

A short trip down to Jerez for the Spanish GP follows the Portuguese GP on May 1, with the French, Italian, Catalan, German and Dutch GPs taking place in May and June. On July 10, before the three-week summer break, the MotoGP paddock heads to the KymiRing circuit for the first Finnish GP since 1982.

Ends in Valencia

Ends in Valencia

The British GP at Silverstone gets us back into the swing of things for the second half of the season on August 8, with the Austrian GP and Red Bull Ring hosting Round 14 on August 21. The San Marino GP at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli takes place on the September 4 before a triple-header then appears. The riders and teams will race at MotorLand Aragon between on September 18, before the paddock heads straight to the Twin Ring Motegi for the Japanese GP on 25th. A week later, a return to Thailand is on the cards from the September 30 to the 2nd of October.

The MotoGP circus then travels to Australia and the classic Phillip Island on October 16, with the Malaysian GP coming up a week later on October 23, which will also be the penultimate round of the campaign. The traditional final round of the season venue will be Valencia's Circuit Ricardo Tormo, as 2022's curtain closer takes place on November 6.

(By a special arrangement with Dorna Sports)

Story first published: Thursday, October 7, 2021, 17:22 [IST]
Other articles published on Oct 7, 2021