Qatar MotoGP returns this weekend for Round 20 of the championship

Doha is opening a new chapter of sporting excellence that fascinates the world with the organization of the Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix, the twentieth round of the 77th edition of the MotoGP World Championship for the 2026 season, an event that is gaining great importance this year as the world title is drawn, relying on a group of creative national cadres who are the engine of success in mechanical sports.

Doha is preparing to host this year's three-day MotoGP World Championship from November 6 to 8, following the reshuffle of the championship's calendar, as this edition is of special historical significance, as it marks Qatar's 23rd participation in the international calendar since its accession in 2004, and the twentieth time that competitions have been held under floodlights.

This year's edition of the Qatar Airways MotoGP 2026 will continue a legacy that began in 2004, offering more than two decades of global thrilling racing, where speed, skill and strategy converge in an exceptional spotlight with a grid of 22 riders between world champions and rising stars, perfect for a close-up of MotoGP excitement.

Lusail International Circuit's sporting history dates back to 2004, the year it officially opened and hosted the first edition of the Qatar Grand Prix, announcing Qatar's official entry into the world of speed and motorsport by hosting one of the MotoGP World Championship rounds.

2008 was an extraordinary turning point in the circuit's career, with the Qatar Grand Prix transformed into one of the most important and attractive stops of the tournament thanks to the creation of the world's leading night racing system.

To this day, Lusail Circuit is the only track in the championship that is all night under floodlights, where the circuit's sophisticated engineering design and iconic lighting system combine to create an unparalleled sporting and visual spectacle, creating an exceptional atmosphere that will penetrate the minds and hearts of MotoGP fans.

After its redevelopment, the Lusail International Circuit maintained its famous 5,380 km (3,343 mi) course, and became one of the most prominent circuits in the world, after introducing technology to sports, changing the history of the culture of mechanical sports from day to night, as well as changing the rules of the International Federation from holding the championship with day laws to night laws, which is to the credit of the State of Qatar, which has become a pioneer in the sport of track by providing a scientific addition to the sport, thanks to the support of officials and their keenness to provide all means To achieve these achievements, which ultimately falls within the framework of Qatar Vision 2030.

Qatar is one of the leading Asian Grand Prix venues, and the Lusail International Circuit is one of the most popular circuits used for Grand Prix races in Asia, along with prestigious circuits such as Motegi (Japan), Sepang (Malaysia) and Buriram (Thailand).

The Qatar Grand Prix was first held in 2004, when Spain's Citi Giberno won the first title, while Spanish rider Marc Marquez is the winner of Qatar's last major race in the 2025 edition, returning to the podium at Lusail for the first time since 2014.

Qatar is one of eight Asian countries hosting the Grand Prix (individual categories) along with Indonesia, Turkey, Japan, Thailand, China, Malaysia and India, and the Lusail International Circuit is one of 13 circuits used for the Asian Grand Prix to date.

The 68 races held at Lusail International Circuit over the past 22 years have been 22 races in the strongest MotoGP class, 17 races in the Moto2 class, 15 races in the Moto3 class, 8 races in the 125cc class, and finally 6 races in the 250cc class.

Australia's Casey Stoner and Italy's Valentino Rossi hold the record for the number of title wins with four times each, followed by Spain's Jorge Lorenzo with three times, while Spaniards Maverick Vinales, Marc Marquez and Italy's Andrea Dovizioso have won the title twice.

Only four drivers, Italy's Valentino Rossi, Australia's Casey Stoner, Spain's Jorge Lorenzo and Italy's Andrea Dovizioso, have won in Qatar twice in a row.

Lorenzo is the most successful rider overall at Lusail International with six victories in various categories, with three titles in the strongest MotoGP class in 1012, 2013 and 2016, two titles in the 250cc class in 2006 and 2007, and a title in the 125cc class in 2004.

While the Australian Stoner has achieved 5 wins in Lusail, 4 in the MotoGP class, and one in the 250cc class, followed by the Italian Valentino Rossi with four victories, all in the strongest MotoGP class.

Yamaha is the most successful manufacturer at Lusail International with 10 victories in the strongest MotoGP class and with four riders: Valentino Rossi (2005, 2006, 2010, 2015), Jorge Lorenzo (2012, 2013, 2016), Maverick Vinales (2017, 2021/1) and Fabio Quartararo (2021/2).

Ducati has nine MotoGP victories with four racers: Casey Stoner (2007, 2008, 2009), Andrea Dovizioso (2018, 2019), Enia Bastianini (2022), Fabio Di Gianantonio (2023), Francesco Bagnaia (2024) and Marc Marquez (2025).

Honda has three wins with three riders: Seth Gibernau (2004), Casey Stoner (2011) and Marc Marquez (2014), while Aprilia's best result was fourth with Alex Espargaro (2022) and Maverick Vinales (2023).

In contrast, the Calyx is the most successful manufacturer at Lusail Circuit in terms of Moto2 competition, with 12 victories (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025), while Honda was the most successful manufacturer in the Moto3 category with 7 wins (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023).

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