Yamaha withdraws from Qatar MotoGP amid Middle East conflict
Yamaha announced it will not travel to the Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit scheduled for 6-8 November because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Japanese MotoGP team said it will return to competition for the last two races in Portugal and Valencia.
The Qatar event had been postponed from April and MotoGP intends to proceed with the rescheduled race despite reports that 19 of 22 riders have signed a letter raising concerns about competing in Qatar during the US-Israeli war on Iran. MotoGP has confirmed the meeting at Lusail will go ahead and has been engaging with teams and external advisers on safety.
Yamaha said it has "not identified sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions" on travelling to the Middle East, citing those policies as the basis for its withdrawal. The statement also referenced the Japanese government advising its citizens against non-essential travel to the region.
MotoGP said it was "disappointed" by Yamaha's decision and added that the move does not reflect the "extensive assurances" it says it has received from Qatar and independent safety advisors about holding the race. The organisation warned there will be "sporting implications" stemming from Yamaha's withdrawal.
Qatar has told organisers it can guarantee teams would not be stranded in the event of any escalation in the conflict. Fellow Japanese manufacturer Honda and Yamaha's satellite team Pramac Racing are currently set to compete in Qatar.
In February, the United States and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, which in return fired missiles at Israel, and at other countries in the region with links to the US. Those events form part of the security context cited by teams and governments when assessing travel and participation.
MotoGP is organised by Liberty Media, which also own Formula 1; the F1 season is currently set to culminate in the Qatar Grand Prix from 27-29 November followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 4-6 December. Formula 1 is continuing with plans to stage both races after receiving what it considers suitable security guarantees and reassurances, and organisers say they have been advised there have been no attacks on civilian infrastructure in Qatar or the United Arab Emirates since May.
If the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races cannot be held, Imola in Italy is being readied as a potential host for the final grand prix of the season on 4-6 December.