The Qatar MotoGP Sprint was stopped under red flags after a serious opening-lap accident involving Pecco Bagnaia. The Ducati rider was conscious after the collision, but was taken away from the circuit on a stretcher.

Bagnaia had moved into third at the start, behind Marco Bezzecchi, who had qualified on pole, and his factory Ducati team-mate Marc Márquez. He then lost places to Fabio di Giannantonio and Raúl Fernández before becoming involved in the incident at the final corner.

Fermín Aldeguer was returning with Gresini Ducati when he tried to pass Pedro Acosta. He missed his braking point and struck Bagnaia from the side, sending the two-time MotoGP champion into a highside. The impact brought the Sprint to a halt and prompted the red flags.

The restart will cover more than ten laps, one fewer than the distance originally planned. Aldeguer has also received a double long-lap penalty, which he will have to serve during the resumed race. The second phase will therefore be shorter than intended, while Aldeguer faces an additional sporting disadvantage when the Sprint gets back underway.