With safety fears simmering ahead of Round 20, much of the paddock is seeking stronger guarantees following Yamaha’s stunning withdrawal
Who’d have thought Marc Marquez (Lenovo Ducati) all but cementing a historic tenth world championship would be an afterthought? There were bigger issues afoot at the Malaysian Grand Prix as MotoGP riders’ frustration with the series’ management intensified and one of its five manufacturers spectacularly broke ranks.
The proximity of the following weekend’s Qatar GP on 6-8 November was on everyone’s mind from the moment they touched down in Kuala Lumpur. That included the riders. At the Sepang International Circuit there was rising concern at the championship’s insistence that Round 20 of 2026 will go ahead.
Although MotoGP Deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta visited Qatar in the days before Sepang to receive assurances from the state and circuit about the event’s safety, plus a contingency plan if things went wrong, genuine fears remained.
US President Donald Trump has persistently threatened to launch a fresh wave of attacks on Iran once the US midterm elections are completed on 4th November. What’s more, Iran Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has promised retaliation on American targets in the neighbouring region. How can anyone in Qatar really know what unpredictable world leaders will do over the coming days?
“There’s a lot of uncertainty there,” said Jack Miller (Pramac Yamaha). “To put on a global event (means) we’re not hiding the location or time of day we’ll be there.”
MotoGP riders met daily to discuss their position. After meetings on Wednesday (with Team Managers), Thursday (with CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta), Friday and Saturday, they produced five demands for the Ezpeletas to satisfy. AMCN understands one of those was to offer the same protection to everyone with a permanent MotoGP pass. Another was for everyone to be insured.
Yet there was a sticking point. 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.”
It left the almost unbelievable situation that serious doubts over the following weekend’s Grand Prix remained as late as 16:00 on Sunday afternoon as riders awaited MotoGP’s official answer. Insurance was covered, but liability wasn’t. The riders begrudgingly accepted they were going.
Until then they’d largely remained silent on the issue, fearing reprisals. 19 of them oppose going to Qatar, while two don’t. But on Sunday, some spoke out. “I don’t want to go,” said Miller. “You speak to 50% of the paddock, nobody wants to go. I don’t think we should be racing there in those kinds of conditions. I don’t understand why we need to.” That sentiment was shared by many. It’s believed Marc Marquez in particular is disgusted with the situation.
If MotoGP thought the discontentment of its star asset was bad, further rancor followed. On Sunday evening, Yamaha spectacularly announced it would not be sending its riders or MotoGP staff to Qatar (although that excluded Pramac’s Moto2 team, as Izan Guevara contests the title). As of that morning, its MotoGP management had agreed to travel to Qatar, along with those representing the four other manufacturers.
Yet it seems Japanese management took over. “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. MotoGP’s response was immediate. “In addition to contractual implications, Yamaha’s non-participation also carries sporting implications.”
AMCN understands the announcement was greeted with applause by Yamaha staff. Members of other teams quietly praised the bravery of the decision. Yamaha could well receive a massive financial hit. Points could be docked. But with its riders 14th, 19th, 20th and 21st in the championship, it has little to lose in that regard.
Yamaha’s withdrawal is a blow to the organisers. Not only does it throw shade on MotoGP’s safety assessment; it’s a break in the image of the whole series pulling in the same way, even if Ducati, Aprilia, KTM and Honda will still travel.
It’s hugely significant the riders are largely united on this matter. Up until a month ago, the full MotoGP grid meeting of their own accord would’ve grabbed headlines. They’re clearly pushing for more of a say in decisions of this magnitude.
Through all of this, it should be acknowledged Carlos Ezpeleta has been put in a hugely challenging position. While the decision may seem clear cut, it’s worth remembering Qatar’s role in the series. Its fee to host a race far surpasses any other round on the calendar. And Qatar Airways is a main logistics partner and sponsor.
After seeing share prices fall in 2026 as a result of the US-Iran conflict, Liberty Media bosses want to avoid losing Qatar’s massive fee. Formula1 is also scheduled to race there at the end of November. And the country clearly wants to demonstrate to the world that normality has returned to the region after US attacks on Iran in February and March.
But there’s a growing feeling the majority of riders are losing confidence in MotoGP’s recent decision making. This follows on from recent controversies in Japan (Marquez skipping a go-kart exhibition), Indonesia (new 2027 format) and Australia (punishment including grid penalties for skipping PR events plus race cancellation) when the sport’s image has faced one negative after another.
Plus, the threat of penalties for missing Qatar hasn’t sat well. “They (MotoGP and the FIM) can attack us at any angle,” said Miller. “Financially, the sporting side, with our licences and so on.” AMCN understands further riders are risking the consequences of not travelling there this week.
It all made the on-track events seem insignificant. That was a shame as Jorge Martin’s (Aprilia Racing) comeback from injury was nothing short of heroic even if he withdrew. Pedro Acosta’s (Red Bull KTM) rain-affected Sprint win was brilliant. And Marquez’s Sunday performance left no one in any doubt he will be 2026’s deserving MotoGP champion.
Thing is, there’s a decent chance next weekend will pass without incident. But there remains a chance the airspace around Qatar could close when MotoGP’s in town. Not only would that complicate logistics, getting personnel and equipment back to Portugal in time for the GP on 20th November; it would be a catastrophic look for the series. As of Monday, no one can say with certainty that won’t happen.
While the needs of a major partner must be considered, it’s hard to wonder why, as evacuation plans were being discussed, senior MotoGP figures didn’t seriously think: is this risk really worthwhile?
