Two days added to Qatar MotoGP Test, Shakedown reduced

Following the cancellation of the Sepang tests, a meeting was held between Dorna and the MotoGP teams to confirm the revised 2021 pre-season testing schedule.

As reported, the Sepang Official test will not be replaced by another venue while the Shakedown test has been moved to Qatar on March 5-6-7, where the final Official pre-season test takes place as planned on March 10-11-12.

However, while the first day of the new Qatar Shakedown will be for rookies and test riders only, the last two days are to become part of Official MotoGP testing, open to all riders.

That change to the Shakedown means that, although MotoGP teams and riders will only be able to experience one track during pre-season testing, they at least have five of the planned six days to prepare for the new world championship. The two extra days will be most important for those riders changing teams and especially manufacturers.

Meanwhile, the rookies (Enea Bastianini, Luca Marini and Jorge Martin) and Concession manufacturer Aprilia have lost three days, having originally been eligible for a total of nine days of pre-season testing (three at the Sepang Shakedown, three at Sepang Official and then three in Qatar).

No mention was made regarding a possible change of date for the MotoGP season-opener on March 26-28, to reduce the length of time teams and riders need to remain in Qatar, or of a possible second back-to-back race weekend being held at Losail to compensate for the expected loss of Argentina. Austin is likewise in serious doubt due to ongoing Covid restrictions.

Revised Qatar MotoGP pre-season testing schedule:

5th March: Shakedown Test – rookies and test riders only
6th-7th March: Official Test

10th-12th March: Official Qatar Test