YAMAHA’S QATAR WITHDRAWAL DEEPENS MOTOGP’S POWER STRUGGLE

Yamaha’s decision not to travel to Qatar has turned the dispute over the November Grand Prix into a wider test of authority within MotoGP. The manufacturer says its company travel guidance does not support sending its people to the race, a position that conflicts with assurances from MotoGP Group and Qatar’s government that the event can proceed safely.

The riders’ objections have been building for weeks. After a private meeting in Australia, they sought guarantees from MotoGP Group chief Carlos Ezpeleta. Jack Miller said 19 riders signed a letter sent to MotoGP at Sepang, urging the championship either to take full responsibility if anything happened or to cancel the race. The letter reportedly received no response. A separate report says only two riders are willing to compete, though the picture is shifting: Spanish journalist Mela Chercoles reported that nine of the 19 signatories have since told their teams they will travel.

Marco Bezzecchi, Ai Ogura and Johann Zarco were reportedly the three riders who did not sign. Ogura said: “I’m a rider: if there is a race, my job is to race. So, for me it’s quite simple.” Bezzecchi said he trusted the organisers, adding that they had “always put our safety first”, but stressed that he would not judge anyone who chose not to go. Marc Marquez declined to give his view, saying: “It’s not in our hands, but I don’t want to give my opinion.” Alex Marquez, who will miss Qatar for shoulder surgery, said broadcaster TNT Sports had made “the smart decision” not to send a crew.

MotoGP has responded with evacuation arrangements and financial guarantees intended to protect personnel if the situation deteriorates. It has also warned riders of possible punishment for boycotting, while Yamaha faces potential sporting sanctions for withdrawing. The riders are reportedly waiting until as late as possible to travel, forcing a delay to the pre-event press conference.

The concerns have been present since February, when US attacks on Iran heightened tensions in the region, according to journalist Neil Morrison. Qatar’s race was moved to the end of the season, but uncertainty about whether it would go ahead persisted for months. With the event only days away, some teams are privately “unimpressed” with MotoGP’s communication and how it has handled their concerns, Morrison said on the Paddock Pass Podcast. He described the growing discord as the result of an issue that had been on the paddock’s agenda since the season began.

The race is scheduled for 6–8 November, with media activity beginning on Thursday. A closure of regional airspace could leave the paddock stranded and threaten the Portuguese and Valencia rounds, which were moved later in the month to accommodate Qatar. DAZN is currently the only broadcaster reported to have committed to sending its television crew.

Yamaha’s withdrawal means Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Jack Miller and Augusto Fernandez will be absent. The factory team and Pramac will not race, while Yamaha gave its Moto2 squad the option to travel; the team plans to go, with Izan Guevara in contention for the title. Honda has confirmed it will compete, while Ducati, Aprilia and KTM are also expected to attend, despite reported dissatisfaction with how the situation has been handled. VR46 boss Uccio Salucci has said team members who do not wish to travel will not be forced to go.

The grid could be much smaller than usual. Only 20 riders started at Sepang: Jorge Martin withdrew with a broken wrist, while Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez was ruled unfit. Alex Marquez will miss Qatar for shoulder surgery, and Gresini teammate Fermin Aldeguer has been absent for the last two races with a hand injury. Joan Mir is also in doubt after retiring at Sepang following dizziness. With Yamaha’s four riders out and other injuries unresolved, reports suggest the Qatar grid could fall below 14 entries, potentially as few as 12. Martin, now 44 points behind the championship lead, reportedly signed the riders’ letter despite having much to lose by missing the race.

MotoGP has reportedly threatened Yamaha with sporting sanctions, potentially including exclusion from the final two races in Portugal and Valencia. The consequences of refusing to attend remain unclear: MotoGP Group is the commercial rights holder, while sporting authority rests with the FIM. That division raises questions about who can impose penalties and whether sanctions could trigger legal conflict or further damage the championship’s reputation.

The dispute has also prompted questions about whether organisers should have considered alternatives to Qatar earlier. Argentina was discussed as a possible replacement, while fans called for a second race at Phillip Island. For now, the best outcome for MotoGP would be a race that proceeds without incident and a quiet resolution with Yamaha. But the standoff has exposed a shift in the paddock’s balance of power: riders and manufacturers are increasingly prepared to challenge the championship’s insistence that the event go ahead.