MotoGP: Yamaha to skip Qatar race over travel restrictions
The Japanese manufacturer cited company-wide safety protocols, prompting a warning of potential penalties from the championship organizers.
By Gabriela Ivanov ·
Yamaha has confirmed it will not compete in the 2026 Qatar Grand Prix scheduled for next week at Lusail International Circuit. The team announced the decision on Sunday, stating that it would not alter its existing company-wide travel restrictions for the Middle East. The race was set to take place from Friday through Sunday.
Yamaha stated it made the call independently, separate from the MotoGP Group and the event organizer. The team noted that its latest assessment of the regional situation did not provide enough reason to change its current travel rules. Consequently, the manufacturer informed the championship officials of its intent to sit out the event.
MotoGP expressed disappointment with the announcement, claiming it had received extensive assurances from all championship stakeholders. The organizers said they had consulted with the State of Qatar, the circuit, and independent safety advisers. They stated that their ongoing risk assessment process had not found any information requiring a change to the current plans.
The championship body warned Yamaha that it had contractual obligations and could face punishment for missing the event. MotoGP noted that other teams on the grid have assured them they will compete in Qatar. Any sporting consequences will be managed by the International Motorcycling Federation, or FIM, in accordance with championship regulations.
Yamaha is currently last in the constructors' championship with 105 points. Ducati leads the standings with 537 points. Several riders are reportedly pushing to cancel next week's race, following a similar pattern to the March cancellations in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Those Formula 1 races were called off due to safety concerns related to the Iran war, which saw Iran strike both countries in response to U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.
The cancellations in March represented a financial loss for Formula 1 and its teams in the Middle East market. The F1 season is scheduled to conclude with races in Qatar on November 29 and in Abu Dhabi on December 6. Yamaha said it remains fully committed to MotoGP and looks forward to returning to competition at the Portuguese Grand Prix, which is one of the two races remaining this month in Portugal and Spain.
