Yamaha pulls out of MotoGP Qatar GP as 19 riders resist Losail trip

Yamaha withdraws from Losail

Yamaha has told MotoGP that neither of its two teams will take part in the Qatar Grand Prix at Losail. The decision covers the factory squad, which fields Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, and the Pramac Racing satellite team. Yamaha cited a recent assessment of the Middle East situation, which found no grounds to change its company-wide travel restrictions. The manufacturer said the withdrawal is independent of measures taken by the MotoGP Group and the event organiser. The notice came after the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, with the Qatar round set for 8 November. La Stampa describes Yamaha as the only manufacturer to go this far and give up a race entirely.

MotoGP Group response

The MotoGP Group said it was disappointed by the decision and that it does not match the broad assurances given to every stakeholder in the championship. The organiser said it had consulted the State of Qatar, the Lusail International Circuit and independent security advisers, and none of them had supplied information that would justify changing the plans. It added that the withdrawal carries contractual consequences under Yamaha's agreements with MotoGP and IRTA, the association that brings together all the teams. Sporting consequences will also have to be handled, the group said. The organiser has also threatened sanctions against the Yamaha teams for missing the race.

Riders push back

Jack Miller, who rides for Pramac Racing, has become the riders' spokesman against the trip. A letter sent to the MotoGP Group was signed by 19 of the 22 riders registered in the championship. Miller told Motorsport that he does not want to go and does not plan to appear at Losail. He said the riders had made their position clear, had pressed their case as hard as they could, and were now waiting to see what happens. Miller also acknowledged that refusing exposes him to a large fine from MotoGP. Earlier, a survey in Australia had found that about three quarters of the grid opposed travelling to Qatar.

Signed the letter19

Registered in the championship22

Signed the letter

19 riders

Registered in the championship

22 riders

Data from the article text

Penalties and a shrinking revolt

SAPO reports that the organisers warned riders who skip the race could be banned from the final two rounds, at Portimão and Valencia. Fanpage adds that any team fine would fall entirely on the rider, and that the FIM could treat an absence as unjustified and impose a serious sanction. Opposition shrank quickly, from about three quarters of the grid in Australia to three riders at the Sepang meeting a week later.

According to SAPO, Qatar has offered a safety plan that includes evacuating the whole paddock, financial compensation if airspace closes and safe repatriation if needed. Carmelo Ezpeleta, director of the MotoGP Group, visited Doha days earlier, and a member of his staff said everything there is completely normal. The Qatar round was originally scheduled for 12 April and moved to 8 November, a delay SAPO links to the US and Israeli attack on Iran. El Periódico notes that Marc Márquez won the Malaysian Grand Prix and would have a first match point at Qatar to take a tenth world title.