The noise surrounding the Qatar Grand Prix exposed MotoGP in a way that was entirely unnecessary. That is the verdict coming straight from Carlos Ezpeleta, the vice-CEO of MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (MGPSEG). As Motorsport.com Italia reports, the event in Lusail ultimately played out in absolute normality despite a wave of heavy criticism aimed at the championship for sticking to the calendar.
The tension had been building steadily over the final month leading up to the race at Lusail, which was initially scheduled for mid-April before being postponed due to war in the Middle East region. A clear rift formed between the majority of the riders—who were reluctant to travel—and the teams and organization. This friction hit its boiling point in Malaysia. There, the riders issued an ultimatum, though they ultimately could not follow through after being warned of the sporting and economic sanctions awaiting them if they breached their contractual obligations to the promoter.
The riders have always been the protagonists of MotoGP, and they will continue to be,
Adding further fuel to the fire, Yamaha decided not to authorize its employees to make the trip. Once everyone arrived in Doha, however, the environment proved entirely normal, save for heightened security checks at the circuit entrances. Ezpeleta held a roundtable with the few journalists who traveled to Lusail, defending the decision to race by pointing to ironclad guarantees from the local government. "Of course we had the maximum guarantees to be able to come and contest the grand prix. Otherwise we wouldn't be here," Ezpeleta stated, noting that local authorities assumed responsibility and costs for any potential escalation of instability.
While the championship emerged from a delicate PR situation unscathed in terms of actual safety, Ezpeleta acknowledges that the series needs to learn from the communication breakdown, particularly with the riders and teams. While other sports visited the region without drawing intense scrutiny, the championship found itself far more exposed. "Yes, it is true that we were more exposed than other sports that have also been in this zone, and this happened because of the noise that there was," Ezpeleta explained. "It is something that must be controlled in the future. I say it very clearly. There are other sports that have come here, but they did not cause so much fuss. Surely we have to work better with the teams and with the riders."
Having spent nearly a week living normally in Doha, Ezpeleta pointed out that outside of increased security protocols implemented for the paddock and teams, the event was indistinguishable from previous editions, even drawing more people and families in certain areas. Despite the intense pressure from the riders, Ezpeleta insists the friction will not permanently fracture relationships within the championship. "The riders have always been the protagonists of MotoGP, and they will continue to be," he remarked.
When pressed on what punishment Yamaha might face for unilaterally deciding not to participate in the event, Ezpeleta kept his cards close to his chest, citing a private commercial contract. Any sporting penalties, he clarified, rest in the hands of the FIM. "We will talk with Yamaha and from there, if something is decided, it will be communicated. But, to date, our relationship with them is commercial and, as we always say, in the sporting part we do not want to be, nor are we. That is the business of the FIM," Ezpeleta concluded.
MotoGP
