Yamaha will not take part in the Qatar Grand Prix, the 20th of 22 MotoGP races scheduled for the season. The Japanese team said on Sunday, November 1, that its riders, France’s Fabio Quartararo and Spain’s Alex Rins, would not start the race at Lusail International Circuit on November 8 because of security concerns in the Middle East.
The team said its latest assessment had not identified sufficient grounds to change the group’s current restrictions on travel to the region. The Qatar race had already been moved from April to November, but remains officially on the calendar despite growing concern among teams and riders.
Prima Pramac Yamaha rider Jack Miller said on Sunday that most of the grid did not want to travel to Qatar. He argued that the race should not go ahead under the current conditions. Marc Marquez, speaking after winning the Malaysian Grand Prix, declined to comment in detail on whether the event should be held.
MotoGP said it was disappointed by Yamaha’s decision but understood that the team was subject to the company’s broader policy limiting travel to the Middle East. The championship also said Yamaha’s withdrawal could have contractual and sporting consequences, which would be handled by the International Motorcycling Federation. Possible effects include changes to championship standings or sanctions affecting future starting grids, although no specific measures were announced.
Several other sporting events have also been affected by the regional instability. Organizers of the Dakar Rally said on October 25 that the 2027 edition would not be held in Saudi Arabia, where it had taken place since 2020, citing recent events and an intensification of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi fighters against the kingdom.
Formula 1 has also had its schedule disrupted this year: the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was canceled, while the Bahrain race was postponed and moved to Malaysia. The championship still plans to finish the season in Qatar on November 29 and in Abu Dhabi on December 6.
Sources: Le Monde Sport.