MotoGP Qatar GP in doubt: race could move to another country

• The race at Lusail is currently set for 8 November, originally it was planned for 12 April
• Formula 1 has already moved its Bahrain race to Sepang in Malaysia, where it will run from 2 to 4 October
• Only two weeks after Qatar comes the Grand Prix of Portugal, one week later the finale in Valencia

The conflict in the Persian Gulf has been occupying motorsport for months. After several series reshuffled their calendars, the MotoGP race in Qatar is now up for discussion again as well. Sporting director Carlos Ezpeleta has admitted to media representatives that a different venue cannot be ruled out. Officially, the promoter is still working towards racing at Lusail. In parallel, alternatives are being examined.

Why is the Qatar GP up for discussion at all?

The reason is the security situation in the Persian Gulf region, where an armed conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran broke out a few months ago. The 2026 Qatar GP had therefore already been postponed once, from April to November.

Alongside the fundamental security concerns there is a practical problem that is rarely discussed openly in the paddock. According to the reporting newsroom, individual companies active in the motorcycle world championship have internal guidelines. These prohibit them from sending staff into areas classified as high risk. Suppliers are affected above all. Without their personnel, however, a race weekend can hardly be staged.

How is Formula 1 handling the same problem?

Formula 1 simply moved its Bahrain race to another country. It will now run from 2 to 4 October at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, where Formula 1 last appeared in 2017.

The path there was convoluted. Originally four races in the Middle East were on the Formula 1 calendar. The rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia initially fell away, which created a five-week gap in April. The Grand Prix of Singapore then offered the opportunity for a solution, because Sepang lies only around 300 kilometres away. Bahrain wanted to keep its race and agreed with the automobile world governing body FIA, with Formula 1 and with Malaysia that Sepang would step in as host. Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali said the sport had once again shown its ability to adapt and to find solutions.

For MotoGP the comparison is obvious, because both series belong to the same owner. “Obviously, the fact that we belong to the same family as F1, Liberty Media, means that this issue is obviously on our minds”, says Carlos Ezpeleta. At the same time he points to a difference. MotoGP has only a single race in the Middle East. From a commercial point of view, a season with 21 instead of 22 rounds is clearly sufficient.

What speaks against a short-notice relocation?

Scheduling and logistics are the main arguments against a quick change of venue. A replacement circuit would have to meet MotoGP safety standards and be available at the same time, and both are hard to find at this point in the year.

“We are at a point in the year when most European circuits are already occupied”, explains Carlos Ezpeleta. On top of that comes the tight schedule at the end of the season. Only two weeks after the Qatar date, the complete equipment has to be ready in Portugal. Ezpeleta stresses that his priority remains the trip to Qatar. “Honestly, I hope we can go, and that’s what we’re focused on right now”, he says.

How has the position of MotoGP changed?

The series has shifted its stance noticeably. In early March, MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta had clearly rejected an alternative venue, now the management is keeping exactly that option open.

At the time, at an event in Madrid, he spoke about a race on the original date becoming difficult, but a cancellation not being settled. There was always a plan B, and talks with Qatar had been ongoing since the events of the previous Sunday. Asked about a different venue, he answered briefly: “Going somewhere else? Certainly not.” Instead he pointed out that they were very good at putting calendars together. A few days later the postponement to November followed. That a different location is now being discussed openly marks a change of course.

What does the 2026 calendar look like at the moment?

The Qatar GP is currently set for 8 November, with the race weekend running from 6 to 8 November. After that come the Grand Prix of Portugal at Portimao on 22 November and the season finale in Valencia on 29 November.

This order goes back to the official announcement of 15 March. It states that the decision was taken in close coordination with the motorcycling world governing body FIM, the promoter and the local authorities in Qatar. All other rounds of the 2026 season remained unchanged. Carmelo Ezpeleta explained at the time that the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved always took priority, and announced that ticket holders would be able to transfer their tickets to the next event. FIM President Jorge Viegas also supported the postponement and put the protection of riders, teams, officials and spectators to the fore. Approval came from Qatar in the form of Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai, President of the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation and of the Lusail International Circuit.

What does this mean for the 2027 season?

The start of the coming season could be affected as well. The 2027 season opener is planned for 7 March in Thailand, with Qatar due to follow one week later as the second round.

Whether that stays in place depends on further developments in the Persian Gulf. MotoGP SEG has given itself until the end of August to decide on this year’s Qatar date. Depending on how that decision turns out, the plan for the start of the 2027 season would also have to be adjusted.

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