QATAR CRISIS PUTS MOTOGP DEPUTY CEO UNDER RIDER SCRUTINY

MotoGP deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta is facing growing criticism as the championship deals with a dispute over whether riders should travel to the Qatar Grand Prix. Appointed to the role in August after a decade working in MotoGP, Ezpeleta has already been involved in tensions over riders’ promotional commitments and the race in Qatar.

The earlier dispute followed Marc Marquez’s unsanctioned absence from a karting event before the Japanese Grand Prix. Ezpeleta reportedly threatened grid penalties for riders who skipped promotional appearances, prompting suggestions that he wanted a confrontation. The Qatar situation has since become a much larger challenge.

Yamaha and its satellite team Pramac announced on Sunday that they would withdraw from the Qatar race. The other four manufacturers were still planning to take part at the time of reporting, although MotoGP’s statement about Yamaha’s decision referred to possible sporting sanctions. That warning has raised questions about whether the remaining teams are confident in the event’s safety or feel pressured to participate.

Ezpeleta travelled to Qatar last week and briefed the riders on what he had found. Jack Miller said that 19 of the 22 riders did not want to go, despite Ezpeleta’s assurances. Riders who refuse to race could face suspensions, potentially affecting the season-ending rounds in Portugal and Valencia.

David Emmett of MotoMatters reported that Ezpeleta lacks the people skills and negotiating ability of his father, MotoGP chief Carmelo Ezpeleta, and suggested this may help explain the resort to threats. One rider, speaking anonymously, reportedly complained: “All he does is come and shout at us.”

The report also said sources close to senior executives had heard “very little sympathy” for the Ezpeletas within Liberty Media, MotoGP’s new owner. Liberty is keen to preserve its relationship with Qatar’s organisers, but the handling of the crisis has reportedly failed to impress the company. For now, Liberty has largely left the championship’s day-to-day management to the former Dorna leadership.