Qatar MotoGP timetable: Marc Marquez leads by 44 points as Martin awaits medical check

The 2026 MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix, Round 20, takes place at Lusail International Circuit on November 6–8. Marc Marquez arrives 44 points ahead of Jorge Martin, with MotoGP identifying the weekend as his first opportunity to secure the season’s title. Martin’s participation still depends on a Thursday medical check.

That status comes from MotoGP’s November 4 preview. Martin missed the Malaysian Sprint and Grand Prix because of his wrist injury. Travelling to Qatar to attempt a comeback is distinct from receiving clearance to compete. Thursday’s assessment will determine whether the Aprilia rider can return to the grid; his participation is not yet confirmed.

The points lead and rider availability are separate questions

Marquez has moved from challenger to championship leader over the season. The official preview recalls that he once trailed the standings leader by 102 points; he now heads to Lusail with a 44-point advantage. Three rounds remain, and he won the Qatar Grand Prix in 2014 and 2025.

Injuries affect other riders’ plans too. Fermin Aldeguer is preparing to return, with the November 4 preview still linking his comeback to Thursday’s medical check. Raul Fernandez also needs an assessment of his injured fingers. Gresini has arranged for Iker Lecuona to replace Alex Marquez while he recovers from surgery. For that background, see the earlier participation update.

Martin’s Aprilia team-mate Marco Bezzecchi remains in the title contest. Pedro Acosta arrives fourth in the championship after finishing second in the Malaysian Grand Prix. The fight at the front therefore involves more than the top two in the standings, with the composition of the leading group in the Sprint and Grand Prix also worth watching.

Check the date change for the Sprint and Grand Prix

The timetable uses Qatar local time, UTC+3, five hours behind Beijing. MotoGP FP1 starts on Friday at 14:45 local, or 11:45 UTC. Practice follows at 19:00 local, 16:00 UTC, which is already midnight on November 7 in Beijing. Viewers using Beijing time need to put Friday’s later running on Saturday’s calendar.

FP2 opens Saturday’s premier-class programme, with qualifying beginning at 14:40 local. The Sprint starts at 19:00 local, or 16:00 UTC, corresponding to midnight on November 8 in Beijing. “Saturday’s Sprint” refers to the date in Qatar, which differs from the date for viewers in China.

Sunday’s MotoGP Warm Up starts at 14:40 local, with the 22-lap Grand Prix at 19:00. Those starts are 11:40 and 16:00 UTC respectively: 19:40 on November 8 and midnight on November 9 in Beijing.

INKA SPORTS Analysis and Summary: Confirm the grid before judging the points swing

Martin missed two scoring opportunities at the previous round because of his wrist injury. Thursday’s medical check will determine whether he can resume his pursuit in Qatar. Marquez starts the weekend 44 points ahead, but the Sprint and Grand Prix award points separately; the title contest’s progress must be assessed through their combined points swing.

Viewers using Beijing time should note three midnight starts: Friday’s Practice, Saturday’s Sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix fall on November 7, 8 and 9 respectively. Confirming rider availability after the medical checks and putting each session on the correct date provides a continuous guide from preparation to the weekend’s scoring races.

Complete premier-class session start times