Making some huge levels of progress throughout the season, the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team are looking to end the 2017 season on a high. Young duo of Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark are confident they will be able to make some improvements with their YZF-R1’s throughout the weekend, taking on the desert with a strong package behind them.

British rider Alex Lowes sits in the top five in the championship standings, and will be looking forward to improving his pace throughout the weekend under the floodlights. With a tough record around the Losail International Circuit – a top six being his best result so far – it will be a case of taking what he has learnt so far in 2017 and adapting to the track. Prepared for the challenge, Lowes is keen to get started for the 13^th and final round of the season.

"This season seems to have gone by really fast,” begins Lowes. “I'm ready for the final race of the year and I will be giving it everything I can to finish as strongly as possible. The race in Qatar is unique as it's our only night race, which I really enjoy. Overall the season has gone pretty well and I feel like I am improving all the time, so I want to make sure I take another step forward this weekend. The R1 finished on the podium here last year, and I learned a lot about getting the best from the bike at this type of track, so I think both me and my Yamaha are ready to give a strong performance! "

Fresh off the back of his MotoGP™ debut, Michael van der Mark is looking forward to the Acerbis Qatar Round. A favourite of the Dutch rider’s, he will be keen to end the season on a high as he is beginning to feel competitive with his YZF-R1. Taking the victory back in the World Supersport Championship in 2014, it’s clear he has a good feeling with the swooping circuit  meaning he will be working to get his Yamaha ready for the desert heat.

Van der Mark explains: "I am looking forward to the last race of the season, even if it's difficult to believe it's arrived already. The Qatar round is one of my favourite races of the year under the floodlights and I really like the track. Hopefully, we can finish the season on a high note as we have been really competitive in the last couple of races. There are some small points we can improve to make sure I am able to be fast right to the end, and I look forward to ending the year in the best way possible."

Keep up with all the progress of the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team as they look to ignite the nights sky from 2^nd – 4^th November, all with the WorldSBK VideoPass.