MotoGP is facing a significant crisis after pressing ahead with plans to travel to Doha for the Grand Prix of Qatar this weekend amid riders’ frustration and one of its five manufacturers breaking ranks.
The fact the Qatar GP is set to go ahead on November 6-8 despite U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to resume attacks on Iran after the midterm elections (and Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei promising to retaliate) has caused great alarm throughout the paddock.
Although MotoGP Deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta visited Qatar in the days before Sepang to be informed of a contingency plan should things escalate, many asked the question: why take the risk?
“There’s a lot of uncertainty there,” said Jack Miller. “To put on a global event [means] we’re not hiding the location or time of day we’ll be there.”
As they did at Phillip Island, all MotoGP riders met daily at the Malaysian Grand Prix to present a united front and voice their displeasure. Nineteen of them oppose going to Qatar, while two don’t. As of Monday evening, Cycle News understands a considerable number are considering refusing to travel there this week.
During the Malaysian GP, the racers settled on five demands for Ezpeleta to meet. Protection and insurance for all in attendance were requested. And it’s believed the riders wanted the championship, rather than the Qatari government, to assume liability for anything that happens on Qatari soil.
“Do you believe it’s that safe we should be there?” asked Miller. “[Then] put your name on it.”
This wasn’t agreed come Sunday afternoon.
“We received almost everything we asked for,” said Pecco Bagnaia. “There are some things pending that we will never receive. But it is what it is.”
Miller wasn’t satisfied. “I don’t want to go. Nobody wants to go,” he said.
Marc Marquez is another deeply unimpressed by the situation.
Despite the general unhappiness, few saw Yamaha’s announcement coming. The Japanese factory confirmed it would not allow its MotoGP teams or riders to travel to Qatar.
“Following its latest assessment of the situation in the Middle East, Yamaha has not identified sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions,” read a Yamaha Motor Corporation statement. Cycle News understands title sponsor Monster Energy was fully supportive of the decision. Pramac’s Moto2 team will go, however, as Izan Guevara is fighting for the title.
The four other manufacturers didn’t follow Yamaha’s lead. Ducati, Aprilia, KTM and Honda all confirmed their teams will travel to Qatar this week. But there remains a doubt about who will be riding. At best, the grid that lines up on Sunday will be shallow compared to Sepang.
It begs the question: How has it come to this? The series has been aware of the Middle East situation since the U.S. first launched attacks on Iran in February. While Qatar is a significant partner, it is hard to understand how such doubt hangs over the event just four days before it’s due to start. MotoGP’s reputation is at stake.CN
