MOTOGP PLANS TO HOLD QATAR GRAND PRIX IN NOVEMBER AMID SECURITY CONCERNS

MotoGP teams have been told that the series intends to hold the Qatar Grand Prix on 6–8 November, with the event now less than three weeks away. The race was originally scheduled for April but was postponed after war broke out in Iran in late February. The conflict is still ongoing, and the situation in the Middle East remains volatile. Despite those concerns, the MotoGP Teams Association, IRTA, has informed teams by email that the Qatar round is expected to go ahead as planned.

MotoGP has publicly maintained that preparations for the Lusail event are continuing, despite recent attacks in neighbouring Saudi Arabia. The revised Qatar date also required changes to the calendar, with the Portuguese and Valencia rounds moved to make room for it.

Speaking at the Indonesian Grand Prix, MotoGP deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta said: “We're planning towards going to Qatar, but obviously the safety and well-being of all staff and fans is the number one priority, so we'll continue to monitor the situation.”

Security and travel concerns remain. A US Embassy update on 18 October advised Americans in the Middle East to exercise heightened vigilance and warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruption. Qatar Airways also temporarily suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam on 12 October, citing the situation in Saudi Arabia. UK travel advice says regional tensions remain unpredictable and warns of the risk of further attacks and escalation, advising British nationals to follow local guidance and keep travel plans under review.

The uncertainty could have a major bearing on the championship: Aprilia’s Jorge Martin and Ducati’s Marc Marquez are separated by just two points, and Qatar is scheduled to be the third of the five remaining rounds.