Gulf Times
The countdown has begun. After the Official Qatar Test, the MotoGP teams and their respective riders are counting down the days to face the long-awaited Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar that will kick off the 2021 World Championship on March 28, followed by Grand Prix of Doha on April 4.
Inevitably, most eyes will be focused on reigning World Champion, Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), and his teammate, Alex Rins. Both come into the early rounds somewhat under the radar following a lowkey test, where the work around the GSX-RR didn’t grab the same headlines as other manufacturers, despite innovations with the chassis and swingarm, while also having the luxury of testing the 2022 engine.
Although both managed to finish in the Top 10 combines times, there are still some questions hanging over their time attacks. Not quite being able to match up with some of their rivals in terms of speeds could see them once again make life difficult for themselves during qualifyings, however, they remain confident of their ability to bring it on Sundays.
Suzuki’s 2020 will forever be remembered for its Drivers and Teams World titles. They narrowly missed out on the Triple Crown thanks to the efforts of Ducati, who were awarded the Constructors’ Championship. Having witnessed the action in Losail in recent weeks, it is clear that this wasn’t a flash in the pan either. In the recent Test, their six pilots debuted with their respective new teams and three rookies began to make their mark, experiencing a steep learning curve. Despite the crashes, Jorge Martín (Pramac Racing) stepped up to be the best of the rookies, but both Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama) and Luca Marini (SKY VR46 Avintia) followed closely behind him.
Ducati Lenovo Team, comprising of Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia, and Pramac Racing’s Johann Zarco, who is already flirting with breaking the 360 km/h barrier, all looked good on their GP-21s.
The Desmosedici was spotted equipped with new front aerodynamics, as well as a different ‘salad box’ and a front ‘holeshot’ similar to that already used by most factories, and the changes helped Miller end the Test as the fastest rider thanks to a stratospheric — unofficial — record, outgunning Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), and it tees up the season opener nicely, with the Australian and Frenchman looking among the favourites to take the first 25 points on offer in 2021.
Quartararo’s teammate Maverick Viñales was also competitive on one lap, but it remains to be seen if he can continue that form on Sundays.
The Yamahas look well primed to challenge once again, with Petronas SRT rider Franco Morbidelli perhaps the rider who has looked most comfortable on the M1 in recent months.
With three race wins and second overall in the Championship in 2020, Morbidelli is among the frontrunners to challenge once again for honours, and he will have the added bonus of riding alongside Valentino Rossi (Petronas SRT Yamaha), as the MotoGP icon begins a new chapter of his storied career. The evergreen ‘Doctor’, who last won in Losail in 2015, went from low to high in the Test supported by the new material package, which included innovations in the aerodynamic fairing, the fender and even the chassis.
With Dovizioso’s double with Ducati in 2018 and 2019, and Jorge Lorenzo and Vinales winning in 2016 and 2017 respectively, one must go back to 2014 to remember the last triumph of a Honda, in the hands of Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team).
While the return of the eight-time champion looms over the rest of the grid, Honda has reason for optimism thanks to the incredibly impressive adaptation to the RC213V of Marquez’s new teammate, Pol Espargaró.
Seated in the Top 10 and backed by the good work of the tester Stefan Bradl, Espargaro generated a lot of confidence within his team. Honda also tested three different chassis during some very intense days for Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and his new partner, Alex Márquez (LCR Honda Castrol). All of the Hondas ended up on the ground at Losail as they pushed the limits, although it was the younger Marquez who came out worst, due to a fall that resulted in a small fracture of the fourth metatarsal in the right foot after a violent highside.
Falls have also been present within KTM, perhaps the manufacturer that arouses the greatest uncertainty following their performance in Qatar. The feelings from the Test doesn’t invite too much optimism, but their own riders — Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and his new partner, Miguel Oliveira — have pointed out that the results do not really reflect their level. They will also be supported by the Tech3 duo, made up of Danilo Petrucci and Iker Lecuona.
Aprilia’s hopes rest on a new RS-GP machine, after strong performances by Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) during the Test.
His new partner, Lorenzo Savadori, will try to soak up the experience of being a full-time rider in MotoGP.
With anticipation through the roof, the race is on.