Yamaha has withdrawn its MotoGP team from next weekend's Qatar Grand Prix, citing "the situation in the Middle East" and company-wide travel restrictions, a decision the sport's governing body said it was "disappointed" by.
The Japanese manufacturer announced its decision shortly after the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.
"Yamaha has not identified sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions," Yamaha said in a statement. Among the racers on the MotoGP grid riding Yamaha bikes are France's Fabio Quartararo and Spain's Alex Rins.
The MotoGP Group said it was "disappointed" by the decision and that "Yamaha's non-participation also carries sporting implications." It added that talks with organisers in Qatar and safety advisers had not flagged any reasons to change plans for the event, which runs from Friday to November 8 at the Lusail International Circuit outside Doha.
"We communicated that position, together with the latest available information, to all manufacturers and teams today and welcome the confirmation from the remainder of the grid that they will compete in Qatar, and we thank them for that commitment," the MotoGP Group said.
There are just three races left in the season. Ducati's reigning seven-time world champion, Marc Marquez, won the race at Sepang and could clinch the title in Doha.
Qatar was subject to Iranian attacks from February to April this year and an Israeli air strike on Doha in September 2025. On Friday, a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker was hit by unidentified objects in the Gulf.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Yamaha's withdrawal highlights how the Middle East conflict is affecting international sports events.
- The Qatar Grand Prix will proceed without a major manufacturer, altering competition dynamics.
- Other teams' commitment may be tested if security concerns escalate further.
Background
Qatar has faced heightened security risks following Iranian attacks earlier this year and an Israeli airstrike on Doha in September 2025. The Lusail circuit has been a regular stop on the MotoGP calendar. The season is near its end, with three rounds remaining.
Key Perspectives
Yamaha: said it had not identified sufficient grounds to change its company-wide travel restrictions to the Middle East.
MotoGP Group: expressed disappointment, said safety assurances had been provided, and welcomed confirmation that the rest of the grid will compete.
What to Watch
- Whether any other manufacturers or teams follow Yamaha's decision.
- Whether the race at Lusail proceeds without security incidents.
- Whether Marc Marquez clinches the championship in Doha, adding to the event's significance.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedYamaha withdrew its MotoGP team from next weekend’s Qatar race, citing the situation in the Middle East.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Yamaha has withdrawn its MotoGP team from next weekend’s race in Qatar, citing “the situation in the Middle East”.”
- SupportedYamaha cited company-wide travel restrictions for its decision.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““Yamaha has not identified sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions,” Yamaha said in a statement.”
- SupportedYamaha announced the decision shortly after the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The Japanese manufacturer announced its decision shortly after the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.”
- SupportedYamaha said it had not identified sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““Yamaha has not identified sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions,” Yamaha said in a statement.”
- SupportedThe MotoGP Group said it was “disappointed” by Yamaha’s decision.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The sport’s governing body, the MotoGP Group, said it was “disappointed” by the decision”
- SupportedThe MotoGP Group said Yamaha’s non-participation carried sporting implications.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““Yamaha’s non-participation also carries sporting implications””
- SupportedTalks with Qatar’s organisers and safety advisers had not flagged reasons to change plans for the event.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “MotoGP said talks with the organisers in Qatar and safety advisers had not flagged any reasons to change plans for the event”
- SupportedThe event runs from Friday to November 8 at Lusail International Circuit outside Doha.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “the event, which will run from Friday to November 8 at the Lusail International Circuit outside Qatar’s capital, Doha.”
- SupportedThe MotoGP Group said it shared its position and latest available information with manufacturers and teams, and welcomed the rest of the grid’s confirmation that they would compete in Qatar.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““We communicated that position, together with the latest available information, to all manufacturers and teams today and welcome the confirmation from the remainder of the grid that they will compete in Qatar, and we thank them for that commitment,””
- SupportedQatar was subject to Iranian attacks from February to April this year.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Qatar was subject to Iranian attacks from February to April after the United States and Israel began a war on Iran.”
- SupportedIsrael carried out an air strike on Doha in September 2025.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “in September 2025, Israel carried out an air strike on Doha that killed and injured Hamas leaders.”
- SupportedOn Friday, a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker was hit by unidentified objects in the Gulf.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “On Friday, a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker was hit by unidentified objects in the Gulf”