MotoGP riders are resigned to racing in Qatar next weekend despite serious safety concerns, as Motorsport.com reports. The championship promoter remains fully committed to staging the grand prix, which has been postponed by almost six months from its original date.
The conflict that broke out in February between the US-Israeli alliance and Iran has created a climate of instability across the Gulf region. Although it is less severe than during the opening months of the war, the situation remains unresolved.
For several weeks, most MotoGP riders have expressed reservations about travelling to a region where tensions remain high and hostilities could flare up again at any moment. More than three-quarters of the grid have voiced their opposition to the trip. In contrast, the MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (MGPSEG)—the championship's commercial rights holder—maintains that the guarantees provided by the Qatari government are sufficient.
Following a Wednesday meeting at the Sepang circuit offices in Malaysia attended by riders and most team managers, CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta sat down with them on Thursday. The executive reiterated his position to those present, who left the meeting with the impression that the event would go ahead regardless of whether individual riders decided not to attend. Ezpeleta reminded the riders that their contracts bind them to their respective teams, which would ultimately be responsible for any penalties arising from a failure to fulfil their obligations.
Last week in Australia, the riders asked MGPSEG to provide a series of written guarantees concerning their safety and the protection that would be afforded to the paddock in Qatar should the crisis escalate while personnel were in the country. The promoter insists that such guarantees fall outside its remit and are the responsibility of the Qatari government. Qatar has submitted a document committing to respond in the event of an emergency, although the riders are seeking more specific assurances. Carlos Ezpeleta, MGPSEG's deputy CEO, is expected to arrive in Malaysia in the coming hours to outline the guarantees being offered by the country.
Within the teams, most personnel are reluctant to travel to Qatar, although attitudes vary considerably. Yamaha, for example, intends to send the smallest possible number of staff, with Honda planning a similar approach. Meanwhile, several television broadcasters holding the championship's broadcasting rights have already indicated that they do not intend to send any personnel to Lusail.
