News Summary
- MotoGP intends to hold the Qatar Grand Prix on November 6–8, despite continuing security concerns linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
- Approximately 75% of the grid reportedly prefers not to race in Qatar, while the championship promoter says local authorities have provided sufficient safety assurances.
- Cancelling the event would remove up to 37 championship points, potentially affecting the close title battle between Jorge Martín, Marc Márquez and Marco Bezzecchi.
MotoGP is pressing ahead with plans to hold the Qatar Grand Prix on November 6–8 despite opposition from a majority of its riders, with the championship’s teams informed that organisers intend to proceed with the event at Lusail International Circuit despite the continuing conflict in the Middle East.
The International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA) recently circulated a communication reaffirming the promoter’s intention to stage the race. According to an investigation by Motorsport.com, approximately 75% of MotoGP riders would prefer not to travel to Qatar, although no formal vote or official breakdown of individual positions has been published.
MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (MGPSEG), the championship promoter, considers the security assurances received from Qatari authorities and the local organiser sufficient to continue preparations. However, several European governments continue to advise against travel to the country, creating concerns for riders, teams and other personnel.
MotoGP informs teams that Qatar race remains on schedule
The Qatar Grand Prix was originally scheduled for April but was postponed to November after the outbreak of war involving Iran, Israel and the United States earlier this year.
The event is now scheduled for November 6–8, becoming the third race in a sequence that begins with the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on October 23–25 and continues with the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang on October 30–November 1.
With just over two weeks remaining before the MotoGP paddock is due to arrive at Lusail, IRTA has informed teams that preparations are continuing.
The association’s communication explained that the local organiser has developed a specific contingency plan in cooperation with the championship’s security advisers.
IRTA also indicated that the promoter has maintained contact with relevant embassies and that none of those consulted had recommended changing the current approach.
That assessment has encouraged the championship’s management to maintain its plans, although the situation remains subject to developments in the region.
The communication does not eliminate the possibility of a later cancellation or postponement if security conditions deteriorate.
Three-quarters of MotoGP riders reportedly oppose travelling to Qatar
The most significant obstacle to the event may be the concerns expressed by the riders themselves.
According to Motorsport.com, approximately three-quarters of the MotoGP grid would prefer to avoid travelling to Qatar, while the remaining quarter is willing to compete under the current arrangements.
The figures reflect the publication’s reporting rather than a publicly disclosed formal vote.
Several riders have already expressed reservations about competing in the region while the conflict remains unresolved.
Marc Márquez, who is fighting Jorge Martín for the 2026 world championship, previously emphasised that personal safety should take priority over sporting considerations.
“You only have one life, but there are many races,” Márquez said when asked about the possibility of travelling to Qatar.
The Ducati rider declined to take a definitive public position on whether the event should proceed, but his comments underlined the importance he places on the risks involved.
Francesco Bagnaia also adopted a cautious approach.
“I don’t want to express opinions that could get me into trouble,” the Italian said, before arguing that all relevant circumstances should be evaluated if safety is genuinely the priority.
Bagnaia suggested that organisers should consider waiting before making a final decision if conditions were not appropriate.
Other riders have taken a different position.
Fabio Quartararo said he was not particularly concerned about racing in Qatar, arguing that the event was already part of the calendar and should proceed if the necessary arrangements were in place.
The Yamaha rider also referred to Formula 1’s planned visit to Lusail later in November.
The different responses demonstrate that the paddock does not have a unanimous position, even though the majority reportedly remains reluctant to travel.
Honda and Yamaha change position after initial concerns
The uncertainty has also affected manufacturers and teams.
Honda and Yamaha initially expressed strong opposition to sending personnel to Qatar while the conflict remained active, according to Motorsport.com.
Yamaha’s concerns were particularly significant because the manufacturer had reportedly instructed its logistics department to investigate alternative flight routes that would avoid the affected region.
However, both Japanese manufacturers have subsequently softened their positions following discussions with the championship promoter and the presentation of additional security arrangements.
That does not necessarily mean all concerns have disappeared.
Large manufacturers operate under corporate travel policies that can restrict employee movements to areas considered unsafe or politically unstable.
Those requirements may create complications even if the championship promoter considers the event sufficiently secure.
The situation therefore involves not only riders and team principals but also engineers, mechanics, logistics specialists and other personnel required to operate a Grand Prix weekend.
The final decision will need to account for the ability of the entire paddock to travel and work under acceptable conditions.
Ezpeleta says safety remains MotoGP’s priority
MotoGP management has repeatedly stated that it intends to hold the Qatar Grand Prix while continuing to monitor developments in the Middle East.
During the Indonesian Grand Prix weekend, deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta explained that the championship was preparing to travel to Lusail but would not disregard safety concerns.
“We’re planning towards going to Qatar, but obviously the safety and well-being of all staff and fans is the number one priority, so we’ll continue to monitor the situation,” Ezpeleta said.
The promoter has maintained regular contact with Qatari authorities, who have provided assurances about security and transport arrangements.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, the championship’s chief executive, previously explained that the intention was to proceed unless circumstances changed significantly.
He also referred to the continued operation of Hamad International Airport in Doha, which local authorities have described as functioning normally.
However, the fact that commercial flights remain available does not by itself resolve all the concerns associated with staging an international sporting event.
MotoGP must also consider the movement of freight, the arrival of team personnel and the security arrangements surrounding the circuit and accommodation facilities.
Qatar cancellation could remove 37 points from MotoGP title battle
The uncertainty has important sporting consequences because the 2026 championship remains closely contested.
Jorge Martín leads Marc Márquez by just two points, while Marco Bezzecchi remains within mathematical reach of the championship lead.
A standard MotoGP weekend offers a maximum of 37 points, with 12 awarded for winning Saturday’s sprint and 25 for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
If Qatar were cancelled without a replacement event, the championship would lose one complete opportunity for riders to score points.
| Championship scenario | Maximum points available at Qatar |
|---|---|
| Saturday sprint victory | 12 |
| Sunday Grand Prix victory | 25 |
| Maximum weekend total | 37 |
| If the entire event is cancelled | 0 |
The difference could become decisive in a title battle where the two leading riders are separated by such a small margin.
Márquez has previously won at Lusail, including the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix, while Martín has also demonstrated competitive pace at the circuit.
Bezzecchi faces a larger championship deficit and could be particularly affected by losing a round, because fewer remaining points would reduce his opportunities to recover.
However, the sporting implications do not establish that any individual rider would benefit from cancellation.
The consequences would depend on the championship standings when the decision was taken and the results of the remaining events.
MotoGP and Formula 1 both face uncertainty over Qatar
The situation is not limited to motorcycle racing.
Formula 1 is also scheduled to compete at Lusail later in November, with the Qatar Grand Prix planned for November 27–29, followed by the Abu Dhabi season finale on December 4–6.
The FIA has indicated that it currently expects both races to proceed, despite the continuing regional tensions.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently expressed confidence that the final two Formula 1 events would take place as scheduled.
However, the two championships operate under different governing and commercial structures, and their decisions are not automatically linked.
MotoGP is scheduled to visit Qatar approximately three weeks before Formula 1, meaning its organisers face a more immediate deadline.
The uncertainty also comes during a period of significant regulatory changes in Formula 1, with the championship preparing to restore traditional 305km Grands Prix in 2028 after a temporary reduction in 2027.
The Qatar situation remains a separate sporting and security issue, with no official announcement of cancellation from either championship.
Phillip Island could bring fresh rider opposition
The next significant development is expected during the Australian Grand Prix weekend.
MotoGP riders will face questions about Qatar during the media activities at Phillip Island, where their positions may become clearer.
The Australian Grand Prix takes place on October 23–25, followed immediately by Malaysia on October 30–November 1.
The championship would then travel to Qatar for the November 6–8 event if the current plan is maintained.
The Australian Grand Prix will be Phillip Island’s final MotoGP race before the move to Adelaide, adding historical significance to a weekend already dominated by the championship battle.
For Qatar, the immediate question remains whether the security assurances will satisfy riders, teams and manufacturers before the paddock begins travelling to Lusail.
