MotoGP News: Magical Martin storms to pole in Qatar
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Ducati) will start the first Grand Prix of the year on pole position, setting a magical time of 1m50.789s – becoming the fastest rider ever to lap the Lusail International Circuit.
Aleix Espargaro completed a stunning lap to qualify in second position, just 0.083 behind Martin.
Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) rounded out the front row in a brilliant result for the Italian.
Heading the second row will be Brad Binder with the #33 ending the session just 0.38 from the front row of the grid.
Alongside Binder will be reigning World Champion, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) who starts from fifth.
Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) rounds off the second row, whose Ducati debut becomes one step closer.
Qatar MotoGP, Lusail – Full Qualifying Results
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Team | Time/Diff |
| 1 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Pramac Ducati (GP24) | 1’50.789s |
| 2 | Aleix Espargaro | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP24) | +0.083s |
| 3 | Enea Bastianini | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP24) | +0.086s |
| 4 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +0.124s |
| 5 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP24) | +0.139s |
| 6 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Gresini Ducati (GP23) | +0.172s |
| 7 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | VR46 Ducati (GP23) | +0.230s |
| 8 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16)* | +0.341s |
| 9 | Alex Marquez | SPA | Gresini Ducati (GP23) | +0.477s |
| 10 | Maverick Viñales | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP24) | +0.517s |
| 11 | Jack Miller | AUS | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +0.551s |
| 12 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP23) | +0.732s |
| Qualifying 1: | ||||
| 13 | Johann Zarco | FRA | LCR Honda (RC213V) | 1’51.537s |
| 14 | Miguel Oliveira | POR | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP24) | 1’51.565s |
| 15 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | VR46 Ducati (GP23) | 1’51.864s |
| 16 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | 1’51.918s |
| 17 | Joan Mir | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | 1’52.026s |
| 18 | Augusto Fernandez | SPA | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16) | 1’52.204s |
| 19 | Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | LCR Honda (RC213V) | 1’52.228s |
| 20 | Alex Rins | SPA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | 1’52.327s |
| 21 | Luca Marini | ITA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | 1’52.952s |
| 22 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Pramac Ducati (GP24) | 1’52.98s |
*Rookie.
2024 Qatar MotoGP starting grid
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Team |
| 1 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Pramac Ducati (GP24) |
| 2 | Aleix Espargaro | SPA | Aprilia Factory (RS-GP24) |
| 3 | Enea Bastianini | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP24) |
| 4 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) |
| 5 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP24) |
| 6 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Gresini Ducati (GP23) |
| 7 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | VR46 Ducati (GP23) |
| 8 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16) |
| 9 | Alex Marquez | SPA | Gresini Ducati (GP23) |
| 10 | Maverick Viñales | SPA | Aprilia Factory (RS-GP24) |
| 11 | Jack Miller | AUS | Red Bull KTM (RC16) |
| 12 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP23) |
| 13 | Johann Zarco | FRA | LCR Honda (RC213V) |
| 14 | Miguel Oliveira | POR | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP24) |
| 15 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | VR46 Ducati (GP23) |
| 16 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) |
| 17 | Joan Mir | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) |
| 18 | Augusto Fernandez | SPA | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16) |
| 19 | Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | LCR Honda (RC213V) |
| 20 | Alex Rins | SPA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) |
| 21 | Luca Marini | ITA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) |
| 22 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Pramac Ducati (GP24) |