Starting grid for the 2026 Qatar MotoGP race
The full starting grid for Saturday’s 2026 Qatar MotoGP race at Lusail.
Marco Bezzecchi delivered two laps good enough for pole position as he beat title leader Marc Marquez to the top spot in Qatar qualifying.
But the Aprilia rider left the Sprint empty-handed after a collision with race leader Marquez left the Italian down and out.
That result, combined with third place for Bezzecchi's injured team-mate Jorge Martin, means Marquez has his first title chance in Sunday's grand prix.
However, he'll need to win, then hope that Martin fails to score a point. Bezzecchi meanwhile must beat Marquez by at least five points to stay in title contention heading into the next round at Portimao.
Fabio di Giannantonio, runner-up in the Sprint, will complete the front row of the grid.
Pecco Bagnaia injured
Meanwhile, a big name is set to be missing from row two with Francesco Bagnaia, who qualified in fifth, between Trackhouse riders Raul Fernandez and Ai Ogura, suffering foot fractures after being hit by Fermin Aldeguer in the Sprint.
Bagnaia has been transferred to hospital to determine if surgery is required.
Assuming he's ruled out, the top Honda of Johann Zarco will move onto the second row.
KTM's Pedro Acosta, the returning Aldeguer and Martin would then form the revised third row.
No Yamahas
Yamaha is not participating in this weekend’s Qatar MotoGP due to ‘existing company-wide travel restrictions’, reducing the grid to 17 riders, with Bagnaia sidelined.
Penalties
There are currently no penalties, with Aldeguer serving a double long lap for the Bagnaia incident during the Sprint restart.
Start time:
The Qatar MotoGP race starts at 7:00pm local time (4:00pm UK)
2026 Qatar MotoGP race: Starting grid after Bagnaia injury
Row 1: Marco Bezzecchi (pole), Marc Marquez, Fabio Di Giannantonio
Row 2: Raul Fernandez, Ai Ogura, Johann Zarco
Row 3: Pedro Acosta, Fermin Aldeguer, Enea Bastianini
Row 4: Jorge Martin, Brad Binder, Franco Morbidelli
Row 5: Luca Marini, Iker Lecuona, Diogo Moreira
Row 6: Jake Dixon, Maverick Viñales
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
