MotoGP Qatar 2026: Marquez at the first match point, TV times and schedule

The Qatar GP opens the third-to-last round of the MotoGP World Championship and puts Marc Marquez in front of his first chance to wrap things up. The Ducati rider is on 399 points, with a 44-point lead over Jorge Martin and 67 over Marco Bezzecchi. The weekend is worth 37 points, split between Saturday’s Sprint and Sunday’s race, while after Lusail only Portugal and Valencia will remain.

The most delicate variable remains Martin, still in doubt after the injury he suffered in Australia. He tried to return to the track at Sepang, but stopped before the races. Marquez, meanwhile, comes off the back of his win in Sepang, the seventh of his season. Speaking to FormulaPassion, he explained: «Qatar is a great circuit, but not one of my favourites», while Bagnaia said: «Qatar is another really nice circuit, but very tough at this end of the season».

Schedule

The weekend begins on Thursday 5 November with the media day: MotoGP GearUp at 17:30 and the press conference at 18:00. On Friday 6 November, action starts with Moto3 free practice at 11:00, Moto2 at 11:50 and MotoGP at 12:45. In the afternoon it is time for Practice: Moto3 at 15:15, Moto2 at 16:05 and the premier class at 17:00.

On Saturday 7 November, action starts at 10:30 with Moto3, then Moto2 FP2 at 11:15 and MotoGP FP2 at 12:00. The top class qualifying is scheduled for 12:40, before the Moto3 starting grid at 14:50, Moto2 qualifying at 15:45 and the Sprint at 17:00. On Sunday 8 November, MotoGP Warm Up at 12:40, Moto3 at 14:00, Moto2 at 15:15 and the Qatar GP at 17:00.

Where to watch it

MotoGP.com points readers to VideoPass to follow the weekend live. Gazzetta/Moto also highlights the NOW Sport Pass for MotoGP and Formula 1 events in streaming.