Yamaha Motor Company has pulled out of the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix in MotoGP, marking the first team withdrawal from the event amid regional tensions. “Following its latest assessment of the situation in the Middle East, Yamaha has not identified sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions,” the statement read.
“As a result, Yamaha has informed MotoGP Group about its decision not to participate in the 2026 Qatar Grand Prix. This decision reflects Yamaha’s assessment of the information currently available and is independent of the measures implemented by MotoGP Group and the event organizer. Yamaha remains fully committed to MotoGP and looks forward to returning to competition at the Portuguese Grand Prix.” The withdrawal impacts three riders: Fabio Quartararo, currently ranked 14th in the standings, Alex Rins (20th), and Jack Miller (19th).
The decision stands separate from MotoGP’s own risk assessments, which the series claims were developed with input from Qatar’s government, the circuit’s organizers, and independent safety consultants. MotoGP replied that they’re disappointed in the decision as they believe that the decision does not take into account the extensive assurances that MotoGP is making to all championship stakeholders. “MotoGP is disappointed by Yamaha’s decision not to participate in the Qatar Grand Prix,” the full statement reads. “While we [recognize] the team is subject to a broader corporate policy restricting travel to the Middle East, we do not believe this decision reflects the extensive assurances provided to all championship stakeholders.
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Following consultation with the State of Qatar, Lusail International Circuit, independent safety advisers and MotoGP’s own ongoing risk assessment process, MotoGP has not received any information that would warrant a change to the current plans for the event. We communicated that position, together with the latest available information, to all Manufacturers and Teams today and welcome the confirmation from the remainder of the grid that they will compete in Qatar, and we thank them for that commitment.” Most other competitors have confirmed they will race at Lusail, ensuring the event’s field remains largely unaffected.
Meanwhile, Formula 1 continues assessing whether it will proceed with its scheduled Qatar Grand Prix next month, following the Dakar Rally’s recent decision to relocate its event from neighboring Saudi Arabia.
