Opinions regarding riding on a wet Losail Circuit were mixed following a short test on an artificially soaked track at the end of Saturday's MotoGP test in Qatar.
In a bid to understand whether holding a race under the floodlights in the wet would be possible, the final hour of the Qatar test was reserved for the riders to assess the track in such conditions.
One of the biggest concerns about a potential wet Qatar Grand Prix was the visibility under the lights.This led the 2009 race being postponed to the Monday following a heavy downpour during the sighting lap.
Honda's Marc Marquez – who was sixth fastest at the end of Saturday's running – admits it is harder to spot the kerbs under the lights, but feels there is no significant danger to racing at Losail in the wet.
“Yeah, about the wet test, the visibility of course is not like a normal track, it is a little bit special, you need to understand,” he said.
“[It's] more difficult to see, especially the kerbs, but for safety I feel okay. So, for me, was okay.
“Only one lap I did, but already it feels like it's slippery the track. Anyway, I think if it rains on race day it's possible to ride.”
Pramac's Jack Miller mirrored Marquez's thoughts, though expressed some concern about the amount of sand being kicked up.
The Australian stated: “There was no real glare, the grip level was normal for a wet track. The only concern I had was the amount of sand.
“I rode alone, but the amount sand that actually came up off my front tyre and onto the inside of the bubble was a lot.
“After three laps I couldn't really see all that much out the wind screen, so that'll be something to look into. Maybe with some normal rain it might wash the track a bit better.
“But I think it was positive, and I think we proved we can ride in the wet here.”
Miller's Ducati stablemate Jorge Lorenzo was less positive, the six-times Qatar race winner highlighting a lack of grip in the wet, and remains unsure if a wet race would go ahead.
“So the grip is not fantastic, it's quite low. During all the track, especially with the rivers of the water, the grip is very bad, especially on the straight,” said the Spaniard.
“The visibility, I just went alone so I couldn't try with more riders. Alone was quite well. It's gonna be difficult if it's a rain race.”
