Losail International Circuit
 | |
| Location | Lusail, Qatar |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT +3 |
| Capacity | 8,000 |
| Major events |
Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix GP2 Asia, SpeedCar, SBK 8 Hours of Doha FIA WTCC Race of Qatar |
| Length | 5.380 km (3.375 mi) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Lap record | 1:38.699 (Davide Rigon, Trident Racing, GP2 Asia Series, 2009[1]) |
Losail International Circuit (also Lusail International Circuit) (حلبة لوسيل الدولية) is a motor racing circuit located just outside in the town of Lusail, north of Doha, Qatar.
Built in just under a year by 1,000 workers at the cost of $US 58 million, the track opened in 2004 to the inaugural Marlboro Grand Prix of Qatar, won by Sete Gibernau. In addition the circuit hosted the 2006 Grand Prix Masters of Qatar won by Nigel Mansell.
The track is 5.380 km in length, with a main straight of just over a kilometre at 1,068 metres. It is surrounded by artificial grass to stop the sand encroaching on the track. It happens to be somewhat similar to the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.
In 2007, Losail added permanent outdoor lighting for night races. At the time, the lighting of the Losail Circuit by Musco Lighting was the largest permanent venue sports lighting project in the world, a distinction that now belongs to another Gulf motorsport venue, Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The first night race in MotoGP history was the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar in March 2008.
In February 2009, a GP2 Asia Series nighttime race took place. Best qualifying lap was achieved by Nico Hülkenberg in 1:35.741.[1]
The Superbike World Championship has visited Losail from 2005-2009 and 2014-present. In addition, the venue has hosted the opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship since 2013.
Racing History
2004 MotoGP of Qatar
- Winner: Sete Gibernau, Honda, Av Speed = 161.293 km/h
- Pole Position - Carlos Checa, Yamaha, Time = 1'58.988
2005 MotoGP of Qatar
- Winner - Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, Av Speed = 163.020 km/h
- Pole Position - Loris Capirossi, Ducati, Time = 1'56.917
- Fastest Lap - Nicky Hayden, Honda, Time = 1'57.903, Av Speed = 164.270 km/h
2006 MotoGP of Qatar
- Winner - Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, Av Speed = 163.742 km/h
- Pole Position - Casey Stoner, Honda LCR, Time = 1'55.683
- Fastest Lap - Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, Time = 1'57.305, Av Speed = 165.108 km/h
2007 MotoGP of Qatar
- Winner - Casey Stoner, Ducati, Av Speed = 170.113 km/h
- Pole Position - Valentino Rossi - Yamaha Time = 1'55.002 Av Speed = 168.414 km/h
- Fastest Lap - Casey Stoner, Ducati, Time = 1'56.528 Av Speed = 166.208 km/h
2008 MotoGP of Qatar
- Winner - Casey Stoner, Ducati, Av Speed = 166.666 km/h
- Pole Position - Jorge Lorenzo - Yamaha Time = 1:53.927 Av Speed = 170.004 km/h
- Fastest Lap - Casey Stoner, Ducati, Time = 1:55.153 Av Speed = 171.166 km/h
2009 MotoGP of Qatar
- Winner - Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro, Av Speed = 165.539 km/h
- Pole Position - Casey Stoner - Ducati Marlboro Time = 1'55.286
- Fastest Lap - Casey Stoner - Ducati Marlboro Time = 1'55.844 Av Speed = 167.900 km/h
2010 MotoGP of Qatar
- Winner - Valentino Rossi - Yamaha
- Pole Position - Casey Stoner - Ducati Marlboro
- Fastest Lap - Casey Stoner - Ducati Marlboro
2011 MotoGP of Qatar
- Winner - Casey Stoner, Honda
- Pole Position - Casey Stoner - Honda
- Fastest Lap - Casey Stoner - Honda Time = 1:55.366
2012 MotoGP of Qatar
- Winner - Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha[2]
- Pole Position - Jorge Lorenzo - Yamaha
- Fastest Lap - Casey Stoner - Honda Time = 1:55.541[3]
2013 MotoGP of Qatar
- Winner - Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha
- Pole Position - Jorge Lorenzo - Yamaha
- Fastest Lap - Marc Márquez - Honda Time = 1'55.445
2014 MotoGP of Qatar
- Winner - Marc Márquez, Honda
- Pole Position - Marc Márquez, Honda
- Fastest Lap - Álvaro Bautista - Honda Time = 1:55.575
2015 MotoGP of Qatar
- Winner - Valentino Rossi, Yamaha
- Pole Position - Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati
- Fastest Lap - Valentino Rossi - Yamaha = 1:55.267
Notes
- 1 2 Losail International Circuit, Qatar 2009 - GP2 Asia results - autoevolution.com
- ↑ http://resources.motogp.com/files/results/2012/QAT/MotoGP/RAC/Classification.pdf?v1_01cacdb9
- ↑ http://resources.motogp.com/files/results/2012/QAT/MotoGP/RAC/FastLapRider.pdf?v1_2a629ae4
- ↑ http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics
External links
- Official website
- MotoGP calendar brief on Losail
- Trackpedia's guide to driving the Losail International Circuit
- Google maps satellite view of Losail International Circuit
Coordinates: 25°29′24″N 51°27′15″E / 25.49000°N 51.45417°E