Qatar GP after US attack: The conditions under which MotoGP will race

• Race weekend in Lusail from 6 to 8 November, originally scheduled for April
• Yamaha withdraws all four of its bikes, the other four manufacturers will compete
• 19 of 22 full-time riders had come out against the race in writing

When MotoGP moved its Qatar GP from April to November back in March, there was great hope that the situation in the Gulf region would have calmed down by then. Since the end of February, the USA and Israel have been waging war against Iran, and Qatar lies just on the other side of the Persian Gulf. Now the new date is imminent, and the situation is, if anything, tenser than before. On the evening of 2 November, US forces attacked the Iranian island of Qeshm while teams, riders and equipment were already on their way to Lusail. For MotoGP it is the third-to-last race of the 2026 season, with only Portimão and Valencia still to come.

What happened in the US attack on the island of Qeshm?

On the evening of 2 November, the USA attacked air defence positions on the Iranian island of Qeshm. The island lies in the Strait of Hormuz and had been used by Iran to attack merchant ships in the strait.

It is reportedly not the first strike of its kind. In the preceding weeks, there had apparently already been several attacks on Iran that were not made public. As early as the week before, there had been indications that the USA and Israel could launch a new offensive after the US midterm elections on 3 November. The US State Department’s travel advisories for the entire region either advise against travel altogether or recommend reconsidering it carefully.

A look at rallying shows how seriously other organisers are taking the situation. The 2027 Dakar Rally will not start in Saudi Arabia as planned, but has been moved to a new route outside the region.

Why is MotoGP sticking with the race in Qatar?

MotoGP is relying on the assessment of the State of Qatar, the Lusail International Circuit, independent security advisers and its own ongoing risk assessment. According to the series, none of these bodies has provided information that would justify a change of plans.

The MotoGP Group has communicated this position to all manufacturers and teams. It points out that everyone involved has received extensive assurances. At the same time, the organiser makes it clear that staying away can have consequences. Riders who boycott the race without being injured face penalties. However, this does not guarantee that the race will go ahead as planned in any case. Developments over the coming days remain the decisive factor.

What security assurances have the MotoGP riders received?

The riders have had a large part of their demands met, but not all of them. For weeks, they had been asking MotoGP for clear answers on evacuation plans, insurance cover and liability.

During the Malaysian Grand Prix, 19 of the 22 full-time riders signed a letter to the MotoGP Group. In it, they made it clear that they did not want to race in Qatar unless the organiser took full responsibility. This demand was not met. However, Qatar is said to have made additional financial commitments for cases not covered by the existing insurance policies.

Francesco Bagnaia describes the outcome as the riders having received almost everything they had asked for. Some points are still open, but he no longer expects them to be resolved. Jack Miller, on the other hand, spoke openly about not wanting to go to Qatar. He does not see the neighbouring country as the problem, but rather the region around it. What bothers him most is that a globally broadcast event with a publicly known schedule is taking place right next to a war zone. Joan Mir said that if the riders travel to Qatar, it will not be because they want to.

How are the manufacturers reacting to the situation in Qatar?

Yamaha is the only manufacturer not travelling to Lusail. Ducati, Aprilia, Honda and KTM have confirmed their participation.

Yamaha justifies its withdrawal with company-wide travel restrictions for the Middle East. Based on its own assessment of the situation, the company saw no reason to make an exception. The decision affects the factory team with Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins as well as the Pramac satellite team with Jack Miller and test rider Augusto Fernández, who is standing in for the injured Toprak Razgatlioglu. Both Pramac riders are employed by Yamaha. Yamaha intends to return at the Portuguese Grand Prix. How the company will proceed in detail is described in the article on the Yamaha boycott and MotoGP’s threat of penalties.

The competition sounds very different. Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi says the organisers have guaranteed safety and the team trusts them. Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola goes even further. He says he does not understand all the fuss and that anyone who does not want to do this job simply has to stay at home. If the organiser gives the green light with all the information at hand, then they will race. KTM states that the plan has not changed, and Honda says it is working closely with the riders and the organiser to ensure the weekend can go ahead.

Why are many riders only travelling to Qatar shortly before the race?

Most riders want to spend as little time as possible in the region and keep the option open to react at short notice to a new situation. MotoGP has therefore adjusted the schedule.

The traditional Thursday press conference in Lusail will not start until 8 pm local time instead of the planned 4 pm. The four-hour delay has little impact on the actual racing, but it shows how unusual this weekend is. After the race in Sepang, Pedro Acosta first flew to Bali. Championship leader Marc Márquez travelled to Spain first and plans to land in Qatar on Thursday evening, in other words as late as possible.

Who is missing from the MotoGP race in Qatar?

The four Yamaha riders will definitely be absent. In addition, several injured or struggling riders are either doubtful or being replaced.

Álex Márquez had surgery on his right shoulder after the race in Malaysia. At Gresini, Iker Lecuona takes over his bike. Fermín Aldeguer, on the other hand, is returning from his hand injury sooner than expected. Joan Mir retired again in Malaysia with vision problems, which had already cost him four races. Jake Dixon is set to stand in for him. At Aprilia, it is unclear how fit Jorge Martín and Raúl Fernández are. Martín is suffering from a wrist injury sustained in Australia, Fernández from a broken finger. Both had cut their weekend in Sepang short and want to at least try in Qatar.

Without the four Yamahas, there are at most 18 places on the grid. If further riders drop out and are not replaced, the starting field could be the smallest since 2010. Back then, only 15 riders lined up at Assen and Silverstone.

What is at stake in sporting terms at the Qatar GP?

Marc Márquez can secure his tenth world title early in Qatar. After his win in Malaysia, he has his first match point in the title fight.

For Ducati, skipping the race is therefore not an option. Jorge Martín is 44 points behind and has to score points despite his injury to keep his chances alive. If he has to sit it out, the title fight would be practically decided. There is also a lot at stake in Moto2: the Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team is travelling despite the company’s withdrawal. Izan Guevara is only 3.5 points behind championship leader Manu González.

For Yamaha itself, a penalty is unlikely to change much in sporting terms. In the manufacturers’ standings, the company is trailing in last place with 105 points, 73 points behind Honda. The world motorcycling federation FIM will decide on possible sporting consequences, and there may also be contractual consequences towards MotoGP and the teams’ association IRTA.

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