That iconic night race under the floodlights in Doha is still very much on the calendar. As Motorsport.com Italia reports, the Qatar Grand Prix remains locked in for November 8 after a calendar shuffle that also pushed back the season-ending rounds at Portimao and Valencia. Originally set for April 12, the event was shifted due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Now, with less than a month to go before the paddock packs its bags, series bosses insist the trip is happening.
Speaking in Indonesia, MotoGP chief sporting officer Carlos Ezpeleta maintained that preparations are full steam ahead while keeping an eye on the region. "Proseguiamo con i piani per andare in Qatar, ma, com'è logico, la sicurezza ed il benessere di tutto il personale e del pubblico sono la priorità assoluta," Ezpeleta explained to the media in Mandalika, adding that emergency protocols are always ready for the unexpected after the frantic venue switch from Valencia to Barcelona in 2024.
Non mi preoccupa il fatto di andare in Qatar. La verità è che sarà una gara in più, che era già prevista, non è qualcosa che mi tolga il sonno. Se la Formula 1 ci va, noi dovremo andarci,
Down in the paddock, the riders are simply accepting the reality of the schedule. Pecco Bagnaia admitted he is walking a fine line with his words. "Non voglio esprimere opinioni che possano mettermi nei guai," the Ducati rider said. While praising the unique spectacle and atmosphere of the night race, Bagnaia noted that safety must be properly evaluated and it would be worth waiting if conditions are not right.
Others took a more pragmatic view of the travel arrangements. Fabio Quartararo, currently seeing out his final races with Yamaha before switching to Honda, shrugged off the destination. "Non mi preoccupa il fatto di andare in Qatar. La verità è che sarà una gara in più, che era già prevista, non è qualcosa che mi tolga il sonno. Se la Formula 1 ci va, noi dovremo andarci," he stated.
Alex Marquez of Gresini Racing echoed that sentiment regarding the premier four-wheel series paving the way. "Si va o no? io ho il biglietto, ma non so se ci andremo," he remarked, noting his travel itinerary from Malaysia remained completely unchanged. Pedro Acosta offered a typically blunt take on the lack of a voice for the competitors. "Non abbiamo nemmeno scelta," the KTM rider commented, before cracking a dark joke about hoping incoming explosives miss the circuit. If the team buys the tickets, the riders board the flights.
