The Qatar Grand Prix is pressing full speed ahead for its scheduled slot on 6-8 November. According to Motorsport.com, the MotoGP Teams Association has delivered word to the paddock that the race will happen in three weeks, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East causing deep divisions across the grid.
Originally set for April, the event was pushed back following the outbreak of war in Iran in late February. While most European nations still advise against travel to Qatar—even if the intensity has dialed back since the early stages—MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (MGPSEG) is pushing forward. The championship promoter has accepted assurances from local authorities and the local promoter, deeming them enough to guarantee safety for the third leg of a grueling triple-header following Australia and Malaysia.
With just 15 days until setup begins at the Lusail circuit on the outskirts of Doha, the International Road-Racing Teams Association (IRTA) sent an email confirming the plans. The communication stressed that the local promoter has put together a specific contingency plan, backed by MGPSEG's own security assessments and constant contact with relevant embassies, none of which have advised altering course.
Behind closed doors, series executives have held round after round of meetings with teams to keep them aligned. That persistence has shifted some stances, most notably from the Japanese manufacturers. Yamaha and Honda were initially dead set against sending staff into a conflict zone. Yamaha's hesitation ran so deep that nearly two months ago, the brand instructed its logistics teams to plot alternative flight routes to keep personnel clear of the affected region entirely. Now, how corporate travel policies will bend remains to be seen.
Down in the paddock, the riders are split right down the middle, or rather, heavily skewed: three-quarters of the grid would rather skip the trip to Doha, leaving just a quarter in favor of racing. That tension is bound to boil over on Thursday at Phillip Island when the riders face questions on the matter.
To calm the nerves, CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta have leaned heavily on messages from the Qatari government assuring them that Hamad International Airport is running at full capacity and operating normally. As Carmelo Ezpeleta put it in Indonesia: "We are monitoring the situation closely. We are planning to travel to Qatar but, obviously, the safety and well-being of all personnel and fans is our top priority. We continue to monitor developments."
Formula 1 is also scheduled to visit Lusail later this year from 27-29 November, meaning the motorsport circus faces a double test in the region as the year winds down.
