MOTOGP WARNS TEAMS OF FINES FOR SKIPPING QATAR GP AS VR46 STAFF MEMBER STAYS HOME

MotoGP is pressing ahead with plans to stage the postponed Qatar Grand Prix next week, despite continuing safety concerns among riders and teams. The race was originally scheduled for April 12, but was moved to November 8 after tensions in the Middle East prompted the series to delay the event. It is now set to be round 20 at Lusail, with the event scheduled for November 6–8.

The issue has been discussed in several meetings at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang. After MotoGP Group CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta joined the talks on Thursday, teams were reminded that refusing to attend Qatar could breach their contracts with the championship. Reports by Motorsport.com’s Spanish edition and MotoMatters say teams could face financial penalties if they do not take part, because their agreements require them to contest every round on the calendar. Riders who choose not to race could leave their teams liable for those sanctions.

Gresini rider Alex Marquez said the paddock remains uneasy and suggested most participants would rather not travel. “I don’t think anything has changed and it seems the GP is confirmed,” he said, according to El Periodico. “I think 70%, or 80%, of the paddock would prefer not to go. We are all waiting to understand the situation because nobody knows anything.” Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia, meanwhile, has avoided publicly stating his position. Riders reportedly voted against racing at a meeting in Phillip Island, but none has formally refused to participate. They have instead sought assurances from MotoGP Group, including a clear evacuation plan in case of an emergency.

The concern is not limited to riders. VR46 team boss Alessio Salucci told GPOne that he had been informed one member of his team would not travel, though he stressed the person was not a rider. “There are things that go beyond sport, beyond work, beyond everything,” he said. “If we want to pretend nothing is happening, then we can pretend nothing is happening, but it isn’t a safe situation. There is more to life than just work, more than just sport.” No team personnel have publicly confirmed a decision to stay away.

MotoGP deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta was expected in Sepang on Thursday to explain the assurances the series says it has received from Qatar and why it believes the event can be held safely. Confirmation of the race’s status is expected this weekend, as decisive discussions continue. The conflict, which began on February 28, has recently been in a pause, but reports suggest hostilities could resume after next week’s US midterm elections. The possibility of renewed escalation remains a worry. In its statement announcing the delay, Carmelo Ezpeleta said: “Our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in MotoGP, as well as ensuring that every Grand Prix is delivered to the highest possible standard.”

The reports also point to commercial and diplomatic stakes behind MotoGP’s determination to race. Qatar could withhold its hosting fee if the event is cancelled, and might pursue a claim over reputational damage. A decision not to race could also jeopardise Qatar’s willingness to host MotoGP or Formula 1 in future. Qatar has been a major partner for MotoGP for around two decades and supported the championship during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The MotoGP event is scheduled three weeks before Formula 1’s visit to Lusail, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix a week later. Both championships are owned by Liberty Media. Some observers have questioned whether MotoGP’s race could serve as a test for F1’s Qatar event: a trouble-free weekend might make it harder for Formula 1 to justify skipping the race, while disruption could affect its plans. The situation has also brought riders closer together, with Alex Marquez and Enea Bastianini describing the group as more united than before and suggesting that cooperation could benefit future riders. For now, the series appears committed to going ahead, while riders and teams await further information.