Yamaha withdraw from Qatar MotoGP as organisers plan to race

Yamaha have withdrawn from the Qatar MotoGP Grand Prix because of the continuing conflict in the Middle East, BBC Sport reported on Sunday. The race at Lusail remains scheduled for 6-8 November after being moved from April, with organisers maintaining that the event can proceed despite the Japanese team’s decision.

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Yamaha said the information available had not justified lifting its company-wide restrictions on travel to the region. Japan’s government is advising against non-essential travel there. MotoGP expressed disappointment, pointing to assurances from Qatar and independent safety advisers, while Qatar said teams would not be stranded if the conflict escalated.

MotoGP also said Yamaha’s withdrawal would have sporting consequences, without specifying them in the BBC report. Honda and Yamaha’s satellite outfit Pramac Racing are still expected to participate. Yamaha said it plans to return for the season’s final two races in Portugal and Valencia. Its absence from Qatar does not, at this stage, amount to a cancellation of the event.

The decision comes with Formula 1 also preparing for races in the region. BBC Sport reports that Qatar’s F1 grand prix is scheduled for 27-29 November, followed by Abu Dhabi on 4-6 December. Both events remain in F1’s plans. Liberty Media owns Formula 1 and also organises MotoGP, but Yamaha’s withdrawal is not a decision about either F1 race.

In reporting published on 20 October, BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson said Imola was being prepared as an alternative venue for the final grand prix on 4-6 December if the Qatar and Abu Dhabi events could not be held. F1 had received security reassurances it considered suitable and was being advised that civilian infrastructure in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates had not been attacked since May.

Benson also reported that F1 had agreed to cover Imola’s preparation costs if the replacement race did not happen. That arrangement provides a contingency, rather than confirmation of a calendar change. The current position remains that MotoGP intends to race in Qatar without Yamaha, while F1 continues planning its two Middle Eastern rounds.