News Summary
- Yamaha’s factory and Pramac MotoGP teams will miss Qatar, removing four motorcycles from the usual 22-bike field.
- Gresini has announced Fermín Aldeguer and Iker Lecuona, with Aldeguer still due a Thursday medical assessment.
- Jorge Martín, Raúl Fernández and Joan Mir remain central to determining the final field at Lusail.
The Qatar MotoGP field remains provisional ahead of the November 6–8 weekend, with Yamaha’s withdrawal leaving a maximum of 18 motorcycles from the regular 22-bike grid before any further absences or replacement decisions.
Gresini has announced Fermín Aldeguer and Iker Lecuona for Lusail, resolving its intended line-up. However, Aldeguer’s return remains subject to a medical assessment, while the situations involving Jorge Martín, Raúl Fernández and Joan Mir are still unresolved in the latest available announcements.
Qatar MotoGP participation list by team
This is a team-by-team participation tracker as of November 4, not the final official entry list or starting grid. Announced participation and medical clearance are identified separately.
| Team | Rider or entry | Latest participation status |
|---|---|---|
| Ducati | M. MÁRQUEZ | Expected to compete |
| Ducati | F. BAGNAIA | Expected to compete |
| VR46 Ducati | F. DI GIANNANTONIO | Expected to compete |
| VR46 Ducati | F. MORBIDELLI | Expected to compete |
| Gresini Ducati | F. ALDEGUER | Return announced; Thursday medical check pending |
| Gresini Ducati | I. LECUONA | Confirmed replacement for Álex Márquez |
| Aprilia | M. BEZZECCHI | Expected to compete |
| Aprilia | J. MARTÍN | Participation subject to medical assessment |
| Trackhouse Aprilia | A. OGURA | Expected to compete |
| Trackhouse Aprilia | R. FERNÁNDEZ | Participation subject to medical assessment |
| KTM | P. ACOSTA | Expected to compete |
| KTM | B. BINDER | Expected to compete |
| Tech3 KTM | E. BASTIANINI | Expected to compete |
| Tech3 KTM | M. VIÑALES | Expected to compete |
| Honda | L. MARINI | Expected to compete |
| Honda | J. MIR / replacement to be confirmed | Fitness unresolved; Jake Dixon reported as possible substitute |
| LCR Honda | J. ZARCO | Expected to compete |
| LCR Honda | D. MOREIRA | Expected to compete |
| Yamaha | F. QUARTARARO | Absent — manufacturer withdrawal |
| Yamaha | Á. RINS | Absent — manufacturer withdrawal |
| Pramac Yamaha | J. MILLER | Absent — manufacturer withdrawal |
| Pramac Yamaha | A. FERNÁNDEZ | Absent — manufacturer withdrawal; had been substituting for Toprak Razgatlıoğlu |
The table accounts for all 22 regular team entries. Augusto Fernández and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu belong to the same Pramac seat and must not be counted as two separate missing motorcycles.
What has changed at Gresini?
Aldeguer has missed the Australian and Malaysian rounds following a right-hand fracture sustained in Indonesia. Gresini has announced his journey to Qatar and planned return, but MotoGP’s latest preview specifies a Thursday medical check before he resumes riding.
Lecuona moves into the other Gresini seat because Álex Márquez is recovering from surgery after Sepang. Márquez hopes to return in Portugal, although that remains a recovery target rather than confirmation of medical clearance.
The replacement preserves Gresini’s second entry. It would therefore be incorrect to subtract another motorcycle from the potential field simply because Márquez himself is absent.
Martín, Fernández and Honda remain unresolved
Martín is attempting to return after withdrawing from the Malaysian weekend because of the wrist injury sustained at Phillip Island. His ability to compete is particularly significant with Marc Márquez leading him by 44 points in the championship.
Raúl Fernández also needs medical approval after the finger injuries that interrupted his recent race weekends. Travelling to Lusail or attempting a comeback does not guarantee participation through qualifying, the sprint and the Grand Prix.
Honda faces a different uncertainty after Mir’s recurring symptoms forced him out of the Malaysian race. Jake Dixon has been reported as a potential replacement, but the material verified for this update does not establish an official Honda confirmation.
Why Yamaha and Pramac will not race
Yamaha’s withdrawal covers both its factory team and Pramac’s MotoGP operation. The manufacturer cited company-wide travel restrictions associated with the situation in the Middle East.
MotoGP says its consultations with Qatari authorities, Lusail International Circuit and independent advisers have not produced information requiring a change to the event’s plans. It has warned of contractual and sporting implications for Yamaha, with any sporting consequences handled by the FIM.
How many riders could start in Qatar?
Eighteen is the current maximum from the regular entries, provided every available seat is filled and the riders receive the necessary clearance. It is not a confirmed starter count.
Thirteen regular riders sit outside the specific outstanding fitness cases identified above. Lecuona adds a confirmed replacement, while Aldeguer is an announced return awaiting assessment. Martín, Fernández and Honda’s second seat determine whether the field can reach that 18-bike ceiling.
The Qatar weekend schedule begins with MotoGP FP1 at 14:45 local time on Friday. Qualifying and the sprint follow on Saturday, before Sunday’s 22-lap Grand Prix.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its MotoGP section.
