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- The Qatar Grand Prix could have just 13 starters<\/strong>, with five entries already ruled out and four more riders facing fitness concerns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Yamaha has withdrawn its four motorcycles over security concerns<\/strong>, while \u00c1lex M\u00e1rquez will miss the weekend for shoulder surgery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Jorge Mart\u00edn, Ra\u00fal Fern\u00e1ndez, Ferm\u00edn Aldeguer and Joan Mir remain uncertain<\/strong>, although MotoGP insists the November 6\u20138 event will proceed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The 2026 Qatar Grand Prix could feature as few as 13 riders<\/strong>, potentially producing one of the smallest starting grids in MotoGP history. Yamaha’s withdrawal from the November 6\u20138 event at Lusail, combined with \u00c1lex M\u00e1rquez’s absence and injuries affecting four other competitors, has left the championship facing an unprecedented participation crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although MotoGP organisers continue to insist that the race will take place, the number of motorcycles on the grid remains uncertain. Five entries have already been ruled out, while four other riders are awaiting confirmation of their fitness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"MotoGP](\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/YFR_300826_AND04754-1024x682.jpg\")
Fabio Quartararo (Photo: Yamaha)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Yamaha withdrawal leaves Qatar without four motorcycles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yamaha announced on Sunday (November 1) that neither its factory team nor Pramac would participate in Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Japanese manufacturer cited company-wide travel restrictions associated with the security situation in the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decision removes Fabio Quartararo, \u00c1lex Rins, Jack Miller and Augusto Fern\u00e1ndez from the entry list. Fern\u00e1ndez had been replacing the injured Toprak Razgatl\u0131o\u011flu, whose rookie season ended prematurely following shoulder surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MotoGP expressed disappointment with Yamaha’s decision and warned that contractual and sporting consequences could follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the championship has not announced any specific sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The remaining manufacturers have confirmed their intention to race in Qatar<\/a>, although individual participation remains subject to medical clearances and possible changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Five entries already ruled out of Qatar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u00c1lex M\u00e1rquez has also confirmed that he will miss the Qatar Grand Prix to undergo surgery on his shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Gresini rider finished on the podium in Malaysia but decided to prioritise his recovery rather than compete at Lusail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His absence brings the number of confirmed missing entries to five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Confirmed absences \u2014 Qatar MotoGP 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rider<\/th> Team<\/th> Reason<\/th><\/tr> F. QUARTARARO<\/td> Yamaha<\/td> Manufacturer withdrawal<\/td><\/tr> \u00c1. RINS<\/td> Yamaha<\/td> Manufacturer withdrawal<\/td><\/tr> J. MILLER<\/td> Pramac Yamaha<\/td> Manufacturer withdrawal<\/td><\/tr> A. FERN\u00c1NDEZ<\/td> Pramac Yamaha<\/td> Manufacturer withdrawal<\/td><\/tr> \u00c1. M\u00c1RQUEZ<\/td> Gresini Ducati<\/td> Shoulder surgery<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Augusto Fern\u00e1ndez occupies the entry normally assigned to Toprak Razgatl\u0131o\u011flu. The table counts entries rather than every injured or unavailable rider.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
With MotoGP’s regular field comprising 22 entries, those absences would leave 17 potential participants before any further withdrawals or replacements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Four riders could further reduce Qatar starting grid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The situation could deteriorate because four additional riders are dealing with physical problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jorge Mart\u00edn<\/strong> is recovering from a wrist injury that forced him to miss the Malaysian Grand Prix. The Aprilia rider hopes to return, but his participation remains uncertain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ra\u00fal Fern\u00e1ndez<\/strong> has been struggling with a fractured finger since Indonesia. The Trackhouse rider withdrew from Malaysia and has yet to receive definitive clearance for Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ferm\u00edn Aldeguer<\/strong> is attempting to recover from a hand injury, with Gresini still assessing its options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joan Mir<\/strong> also faces uncertainty after physical problems returned during the Malaysian Grand Prix, forcing the Honda rider to withdraw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Riders facing fitness uncertainty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rider<\/th> Team<\/th> Situation<\/th><\/tr> J. MART\u00cdN<\/td> Aprilia<\/td> Wrist injury<\/td><\/tr> R. FERN\u00c1NDEZ<\/td> Trackhouse Aprilia<\/td> Finger fracture<\/td><\/tr> F. ALDEGUER<\/td> Gresini Ducati<\/td> Hand injury<\/td><\/tr> J. MIR<\/td> Honda<\/td> Fitness concerns<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n If all four are unable to participate and no additional replacements are entered, the grid could fall to 13 motorcycles<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, that figure remains a projection rather than the confirmed starting grid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gresini’s replacement arrangements, including the possible participation of Iker Lecuona, could also affect the final number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Could Qatar set a MotoGP record for the smallest grid?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A field of 13 riders would be exceptionally small for the modern MotoGP era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The championship has previously experienced races with severely reduced participation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 2011 Australian Grand Prix had 14 starters, while the 2010 races at Assen and Silverstone featured 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A 13-rider starting grid in Qatar would fall below those figures, although a definitive historical record comparison would require checking every race in the MotoGP era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The uncertainty is especially concerning because the reduction would not be caused by a single incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, it reflects a combination of security concerns, manufacturer withdrawal and injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qatar crisis unfolds as Marc M\u00e1rquez approaches championship title<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The participation crisis comes at a decisive stage of the championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marc M\u00e1rquez arrives in Qatar with a 44-point advantage over Jorge Mart\u00edn after winning the Malaysian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ducati rider has his first opportunity to secure the 2026 title at Lusail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The championship calculations show what M\u00e1rquez needs to become world champion in Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mart\u00edn’s uncertain fitness could have a significant effect on the title battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, M\u00e1rquez’s championship situation must also account for Marco Bezzecchi and the points still available in the remaining rounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ducati rider has indicated that he intends to arrive in Qatar as late as possible before Friday’s opening practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MotoGP maintains Qatar race despite safety concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
MotoGP has reiterated that the event will proceed following consultations with Qatari authorities, Lusail International Circuit and independent security advisers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The organisation says it has received no information requiring a change to its plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, opposition among riders remains significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jack Miller previously revealed that 19 riders had supported a letter questioning the decision to race in Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Signing that document does not necessarily mean a rider intends to boycott the race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Yamaha has withdrawn its four motorcycles over security concerns<\/strong>, while \u00c1lex M\u00e1rquez will miss the weekend for shoulder surgery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n