As RaceFans reports, the 2026 Qatar Grand Prix has been dealt a major blow with Yamaha confirming it will skip the upcoming MotoGP round. That absence could trigger a wider exodus, while also casting a very heavy shadow over Formula 1's scheduled visit to the Losail International Circuit three weeks later.
The Qatar round was originally pushed back from April because of the war. Now, with less than a week remaining before the event gets underway, Yamaha has elected to stay away, keeping its company-wide travel restrictions firmly in place due to the ongoing dangers in the Middle East.
We do trust their process because they are displaying to us a very large depth of analysis behind what they’re doing.
“Following its latest assessment of the situation in the Middle East, Yamaha has not identified sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions,” the manufacturer stated. “As a result, Yamaha has informed Moto GP Group about its decision not to participate in the 2026 Qatar Grand Prix.” The team added that the choice was based on current information and stood independent of any measures taken by MotoGP Group or organizers.
Behind the scenes, the paddock is feeling the pressure. Liberty Media owns MotoGP, and reports indicate that riders who voiced safety concerns and sought reassurances were warned they would face bans from subsequent rounds if they refused to race in Qatar. For its part, Yamaha has made it clear that its commitment to the championship remains intact, stating it “looks forward to returning to competition at the Portuguese Grand Prix.”
Meanwhile, the situation has direct implications for Formula 1, which shares the same ownership through Liberty Media. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali previously noted that a decision regarding the final Middle East rounds would come in mid-September. F1 has already called off races at the Bahrain International Circuit (replaced by an event in Malaysia) and the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia (which went unreplaced).
If any further rounds vanish from the calendar without a replacement, Andrea Kimi Antonelli will automatically take the world championship. F1 has lined up Imola as a potential replacement venue, and Williams team principal James Vowles expressed confidence in the leadership's preparation when speaking on Friday.
“F1 and the FIA have been very good at providing us updates, and they have a plan B and plan C,” Vowles said. “This is not a decision they’re taking lightly, as you would imagine as a result of it.” He added: “We do trust their process because they are displaying to us a very large depth of analysis behind what they’re doing.”
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