Losail Circuit: When MotoGP and F1 share the same track

When the arrival of the F1 on the Losail circuit, opinions were divided among the drivers MotoGP. “Seeing them (F1, editor's note) driving on a track where we also race, it's impressive because we see the differences in times and speeds,” declared Franco Morbidelli, for example. Others, however, like Aleix Espargaro and Andrea Dovizioso believe that F1 has the unfortunate tendency to damage the surface due to their aerodynamic downforce. 

This season, MotoGP has contested two GPs in Qatar and it is Francesco Bagnaia who holds the record established in Q2 with a lap in 1'52.772 at an average of 171.7 km/h. In F1, things go much faster since Lewis Hamilton took pole position with a time of 1'20.827. That's more than 30 seconds of difference over a distance of 5.3 km. 

362.4 km/h from @BradBinder_41! 😳

The KTM rider equals @JohannZarco1's all-time #MotoGP top speed record! 🔥#ItalianGP 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/JVf977C7uN

- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) May 29, 2021

In terms of top speed, however, a MotoGP goes faster on the 1068 m long Losail straight. This year, Johann Zarco also set the MotoGP speed record with 362.4 km/h. To see it, it's more than 100 m/s when braking, even if the Frenchman pulled straight into the first turn after reaching this phenomenal speed. This record was equaled later this year by Brad Binder at the Mugello circuit. In F1, Daniel Ricciardo while driving McLaren reached 344.1 km/h in the race. 

Onboard with @Max33Verstappen for the lap that earned him a crucial bonus point – and the DHL Fastest Lap Award in Qatar 🚀🏆

DHL stats and leaderboard 👉 https://t.co/sOAsD9HZK8#QatarGP 🇶🇦 #MomentsThatDeliver @DHL_Motorsports pic.twitter.com/eBAwDRGpsP

- Formula 1 (@ F1) November 23, 2021

There is no secret, the 30 seconds difference between an F1 and a MotoGP at Losail is won or lost in the winding sections. The dynamics, stability and maneuverability of a four-wheeled vehicle cannot be compared with a two-wheeled vehicle. “It's impressive to see how quickly they go around the same corner in a car,” Morbidelli said. 

F1 and MotoGP on the same circuit, is it really possible? 

The answer is yes according to Jarno Zaffelli, founder of Dromo, the Italian circuit design firm behind the design and upgrade of Silverstone, Mugello, Paul Ricard, Singapore and Zandvoort. “We have to make the right compromises,” explains the Italian. Silverstone, Mugello, Portimão have all recently demonstrated that F1 and MotoGP can coexist on the same circuit if it is designed and built properly. Silverstone has hosted five F1 races since its last resurfacing and MotoGP has had no complaints so far. Mugello has always been a MotoGP circuit, but after an F1 event no one felt like it had been damaged. Asphalt, when designed and constructed appropriately, can be used for MotoGP. Problems often arise when it is not designed and applied by experts. During all of our latest work, we have made remarkable efforts with the contractors. Notably with Colas at Paul Ricard. We did a huge amount of teamwork. We, as a specialist designer and supervisor, and they, among the best contractors in the world, like Tarmac for Silverstone or KWS for Zandvoort. It takes a large team to design and build circuits for both universes, and we have demonstrated that it is possible. At the moment we are following Colas in implementing the modifications to the F1 track at Yas Marina. »

It remains to be seen next March when the MotoGP season opens whether the passage of F1 has damaged the circuit surface. If this is the case, Bagnaia and Zarco could well keep their record for a little while…