WOLFF CRITICISES MOTOGP RIDERS OVER QATAR RACE STANDOFF

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has criticised MotoGP riders who challenged the decision to race in Qatar, saying they lacked the geopolitical knowledge to make their concerns influential. His comments came as the Qatar Grand Prix went ahead at Losail, despite 19 of the 22 riders signing a letter seeking a personal commitment from the championship to take responsibility if anything went wrong. The race proceeded amid an armed conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

The riders’ demands were reportedly not accepted, and MotoGP had threatened sanctions, including race bans, for those who refused to travel. Yamaha nevertheless withdrew its four riders, citing the company’s Middle East travel policy. Several other teams also said some staff would stay away.

Speaking at Formula 1’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Wolff defended F1’s approach to its planned Qatar and Abu Dhabi races later in the year. A decision on those events was expected in the coming days, with Imola prepared as a possible alternative. Wolff said F1 was following international guidance, including travel restrictions, airline operations, regional warnings and advice from local governments. F1, like MotoGP, is owned by Liberty Media and was monitoring the Qatar event.

“I think that if riders stand up, who geopolitically know nothing about what’s going on, but have the audience that listens, I think that is something that creates media value,” he said. He added that he would have acted as MotoGP management had, saying: “You want to ride or drive, go. If you don’t want to, don’t go, as simple as that. And everybody can take their personal decisions on that, and I respect that.”

However, MotoGP’s position was not simply to leave the choice to riders and teams. Yamaha is expected to face penalties for breaking its championship contract, potentially including a substantial fine and a loss of constructors’ points.

Wolff said no Mercedes employee had raised concerns about travelling to the Middle East, but he would respect anyone who felt uncomfortable going. He said F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem were monitoring developments and would act to protect travelling personnel if the situation became more dangerous.

“If someone doesn’t feel comfortable travelling, then that’s something that I would always respect,” Wolff said, adding that it would not affect their relationship with the team. He said he had previously respected employees’ decisions not to attend particular Grands Prix and would take the same approach again.