MotoGP – Moto GP Guide: all you need to know about the 2012 season – 2012 MotoGP circuit sheets: dates, presentation and statistics of the 18 tracks

Posted on by admin

Moto GP guide: all you need to know about the 2012 season

MotoGP - Moto GP Guide: all you need to know about the 2012 season - 2012 MotoGP circuit sheets: dates, presentation and statistics of the 18 tracks

Exclusively on the web, Site offers its 2012 MotoGP Practical Guide. Driver files, presentation of circuits and motorcycles, rating of title contenders: all the information and key figures of the 2012 MotoGP World Championship !

MotoGP 2012 circuit sheets: dates, presentation and statistics of the 18 tracks

Everything you need to know about the 18 circuits of the 2012 Moto GP World Championship: dates of the races, characteristics of the tracks, 2011 results, records in force, official websites…

Grand Prix of Qatar – Losail Circuit (5,380m) – April 5-8, 2012

Entirely flat and set in the middle of the desert, the Qatar circuit is one of the fastest (1,068 m straight line) and is contested at night. Beware of the sand along the track which sometimes makes the grip as reduced … as the crowd of spectators !

With Ducati or Honda, Stoner has always been quick at Losail with four straight wins and the lap record (1’55.153 in 2008). Lorenzo has held the track record there since 2008 (1’53.927).

Spanish Grand Prix – Jerez de la Frontera Circuit (4,423m) – April 27-29, 2012

Complete and fast despite a short straight line of 600 m, the Jerez circuit requires a precise and stable front end. Wide, the Andalusian track is conducive to overtaking loudly greeted by the "vivas" of many Spanish aficionados !

Comfortable in the wet in 2011, Lorenzo won ahead of Pedrosa and Hayden and has held the track record since 2008 (1’38.139). Poleman (1’38.757), Stoner could have shone there last year, if the author of the fastest lap in the race in 1’48.753 – a certain Rossi! – hadn’t made it fall…

Grand Prix of Portugal – Autodromo d’Estoril (4,182m) – May 4-6, 2012

A circuit of contrasts, Estoril has a very long straight line (986 m) and the slowest hairpin in the championship (around 65 km / h). Two characteristics that require a big heart and blind confidence in its front end !

Author of the fastest lap in the race (1’37.629), Pedrosa managed to subdue Lorenzo in his Portuguese "garden" last year. The Mallorcan, author of pole (1’37.161) and holder of the track record since 2008 (1’35.715), was ahead of Stoner at the finish line.

Grand Prix de France – Bugatti Circuit (4,180 m) – May 18-20, 2012

Not very technical and composed mainly of slow bends, the Bugatti circuit of Le Mans is not unanimous among the pilots, but it is the favorite meeting place of the "MotoGPistes" tricolor! Formerly suitable for Yamaha, it was annexed by Honda in 2011: the RCVs hold pole (Stoner in 1’33.153), the fastest race lap (Pedrosa in 1’33.617), but also the track record since 2008 ( Pedrosa in 1’32.647) !

Stoner won the 2011 edition with more than 14.214 sec ahead of Dovizioso and Rossi, who signed in France the only podium of his first season at Ducati.

Grand Prix of Catalonia – Circuit de Catalunya (4,727m) – June 1 to 3, 2012

With its long straight line of 1,047 m, the Catalan route makes the know-how of engine manufacturers speak! Located a stone’s throw from Barcelona, ​​its stands are always packed: for Iberian pilots, shining there is a matter of pride..

Author of the fastest lap in the race in 1’43.084 (and the track record in 1’41.186 since 2008), Stoner did not hesitate to beat Lorenzo there in 2011, ahead of Spies and Dovizioso! The 2011 edition of the Catalan GP also marked the very first pole position (1’42.413) in MotoGP of the …

British Grand Prix – Silverstone Circuit (5,902m) – June 15-17, 2012

Back in the Grand Prix calendar since 2010 after a 25-year absence, the Silverstone circuit is located 130 km north-west of London. It offers several quick sequences, a straight line of 800 m … and typical British weather !

Winner in the wet ahead of Dovizioso (already second in 2010) and Edwards in 2011, Stoner set the track record there in 2’02.020 during qualifying. Failing at the foot of the podium, Hayden confirmed the competitiveness of the Ducati on a wet track by setting the fastest lap in the race (2’21.432).

Dutch Grand Prix – Circuit Van Drenthe (4,555 m) – June 28 to 30, 2012 (race run on Saturday)

Registered in the championship since its launch in 1949, the Assen circuit has lost none of its aura despite significant "nibbles" due to the real estate expansion. Unique, the "cathedral" has old-style rows, a short straight line (560 m) and a final chicane where everything can be played out..

Author of the fastest lap in the race (1’35.240), Spies showed all his talent there by securing his first victory in MotoGP ahead of Stoner and Dovizioso last year. Lorenzo has had the Dutch track record since 2010 (1’34.515), while Simoncelli had his second (and last, unfortunately …) pole there in 1’34.718.

German Grand Prix – Sachsenring Circuit (3,675m) – July 6-8, 2012

Threatened to leave the calendar for lack of profitability (read), the Sachsenring circuit finally remains on the program in 2012 thanks to an agreement reached at the last minute between its organizer, the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club (ADAC), and Dorna, the promoter of MotoGP.

Small and tortuous with its 780m straight line, the German "turnstile" will probably be one of the circuits where the CRTs will be least disadvantaged against the Moto GP prototypes, with Jerez and Valence.

Pedrosa had the fastest lap there in the race (1’21.846) and his second victory in 2011, ahead of Lorenzo and poleman Stoner (1’21.681). The 2011 world champion is also the owner of the absolute track record since 2008 (1’21.067).

Italian Grand Prix – Mugello Circuit (5,245 m) – July 13 to 15, 2012

A true temple of speed, the Mugello circuit has everything to please: resurfaced last year, its asphalt is a real billiard table and its superb sequences highlight driving. With the new 1000 cc, 360 km / h will no doubt be reached – or even exceeded? – in the long straight line of 1141 m !

Rossi remained undefeated there from 2002 to 2008 (!), Before Stoner (2009), Pedrosa (2010) then Lorenzo (2011) won. Author of the fastest lap in the race in 1’48.402, Lorenzo won the 2011 edition ahead of Dovizioso and Stoner, who broke the track record in qualifying (1’48.034).

US Grand Prix – Laguna Seca Circuit (3,610m) – July 27-29, 2012

Physics, the Laguna Seca (California) circuit often roughs up the drivers and mechanics due to high temperatures. Famous for its Cork Screw (a left-right sequence with a spectacular drop), it also has a straight line "not quite straight" of 966 m in which Stoner sealed his victory in 2011 by an anthology overtaking Lorenzo at more than 260 km / h !

Holder of the circuit record (1’20.700) since 2008 and the race lap record (1’21.376 in 2010), Stoner won the 2011 edition one step ahead of pole-sitter Lorenzo (1’21.202) and Pedrosa.

Indianapolis Grand Prix – Indianapolis Circuit (4,216m) – August 17-19, 2012

Capable of attracting nearly 250,000 spectators (!) During the Nascar rounds, the Indianapolis circuit does not meet the same success during the Motorcycle Grand Prix: it is the only circuit on the calendar where attendance is decreasing , despite the presence of three American drivers on the grid (Edwards, Hayden and Spies)…

What is more, moderately appreciated by pilots, the route could give way to the new Circuit of the Americas located in Austin (Texas) from 2013 (read).

Author of the track record in qualifying (1’38.850) and the fastest lap in the race (1’39.807), Stoner corrected Pedrosa, Spies and especially Lorenzo (16.576 sec late at the finish!) Last year..

Grand Prix of the Czech Republic – Brno Circuit (5,403m) – August 24-26, 2012

Praised by pilots, the Brno circuit is wide and selective. Demanding, it has a rather short straight line (636 m) but its long rows make it a fast track where fluidity matters a lot..

Attracting fans from all over Europe, the Czech track saw Stoner (who had the fastest race lap in 1’57.191) win ahead of Dovizioso in 2011, while Simoncelli had his first MotoGP podium there. Pedrosa took pole 2011 (1’56.591) before crashing, and Rossi has held the track record there since 2009 (1’56.145).

Grand Prix of San Marino – Misano Circuit (4,180m) – September 14-16, 2012

Marking the resumption of hostilities after two weekends without GP, the Adriatic circuit is made up of a short straight line of 565 m and many hairpins. Located a stone’s throw from Rossi, Dovizioso or Pasini, its single-path route does not facilitate overtaking.

In 2011, Lorenzo set the fastest race lap there (1’33.906) before crushing Pedrosa (+7.299 sec at the finish) and Stoner (+11.967 sec)! The Australian started the weekend well, setting the track record of 1’33.138 in qualifying..

Grand Prix d’Aragon – Circuit Motorland Aragon (5078 m) – from September 28 to 30, 2012

Completed in 2009, Motorland Aragon is a huge complex dedicated to motorsports. Its speed track has many advantages: wide (15 m), uneven and fast, it also has technical rows and a long straight line (968 m).

So much so that he was awarded the title of "Best Grand Prix" for his first encounter with MotoGP in 2010! Author of the circuit record in qualifying (1’48.451), Stoner won there a second consecutive victory in 2011 ahead of Pedrosa and Lorenzo after having set the fastest lap in the race (1’49.046).

Japanese Grand Prix – Motegi Circuit (4,801m) – October 12-14, 2012

Honda’s stronghold, Motegi’s "Twin Ring" brings together a speed ring and a "stop and go" type circuit. Its short straight line (762 m) does not promote pure power, but rather traction and chassis balance..

Injured during testing in 2010, Pedrosa took his revenge on the Japanese track in 2011 by winning with respectively 7.299 sec (!) And 18.380 sec (!!) ahead of Lorenzo and Stoner. Author of the fastest lap in the race (1’46.090), Pedrosa however left it to Stoner to sign the new track record (1’45.267 in qualifying).

Malaysian Grand Prix – Sepang Circuit (5,548m) – October 19-21, 2012

Sepang has long been one of MotoGP’s favorite circuits: its route as wide (15 m) as it is fast (two long straight lines, one of which is 920 m) unanimously among the riders, who spend a large part of the race there. offseason.

However, the situation will never be the same since the tragic disappearance of Marco Simoncelli, broke at only 24 years old during the 2011 Malaysian GP (read in particular and)…

Canceled following the tragedy, the 2011 edition saw Pedrosa take pole in 2’01.462 on the Sepang International Circuit (SIC …). Although Stoner shot there in 1’59.607 this winter, it is Rossi who has held the official track record since 2009 in 2’00.518 (records are only formalized during race weekends).

Australian Grand Prix – Phillip Island (4,448m) – October 26-28, 2012

Undoubtedly the most beautiful circuit in the world, Phillip Island presents an enjoyable alternation of fast curves and delicate sequences with a view of the sea, as well as a demanding final parabolic determining a straight line of 900 m.

Uncompromising on his land since 2007 (!), Author of pole (1’29.975) and the fastest race lap in 2011 (1’30.629), Stoner won his second world title in the premier class there on his 26th birthday . The Australian also has the best time there since 2008 (1’28.665).

On arrival, the HRC official preceded Simoncelli – who signed his second in Australia and unfortunately last podium in MotoGP – and Dovizioso.

Valencia Grand Prix – Ricardo Tormo Circuit (4,005 m) – from November 9 to 11, 2012

Technical and compact (876 m straight line), the Valencia circuit is particularly demanding for MotoGP and vibrates to the cheers of a passionate public !

Rossi’s "bête noire" since he let slip the premier class title in 2006 for the first time since 2001, the circuit Ricardo Tormo saw Stoner end his exceptional 2011 season with a brilliant victory.

Author of pole (1’31.861) and the fastest lap since 2008 (1’32.582), the Australian beat Spies there on the wire, while Dovizioso (holder of the best lap in the race in 2011 in 1’34.167 ) completed the very last podium of the 800cc era.

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *