Yamaha drops bombshell Qatar MotoGP decision amid uncertainty

Yamaha has released a statement saying it will not compete in next weekend’s Qatar MotoGP.

Yamaha issued the statement shortly after the conclusion of today’s Malaysian Grand Prix.

The Iwata factory says it is upholding its company-wide travel policy in relation to the Middle East region, where conflict was started in February by the US and Israel attacking Iran.

“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,” reads the statement from Yamaha.

“As a result, Yamaha has informed MotoGP Group about its decision not to participate in the 2026 Qatar Grand Prix.

“This decision reflects Yamaha’s assessment of the information currently available and is independent of the measures implemented by MotoGP Group and the event organizer.

“Yamaha remains fully committed to MotoGP and looks forward to returning to competition at the Portuguese Grand Prix.”

The Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team was given the choice to go to Qatar or not because of the championship position of Izan Guevara, who is 3.5 points behind Manuel Gonzalez after the Malaysia race.

MotoGP issued a statement in response to Yamaha’s, saying the manufacturer could receive sporting penalties for missing next week’s race.

“MotoGP is disappointed by Yamaha's decision not to participate in the Qatar Grand Prix,” the statement reads.

“While we recognise the team is subject to a broader corporate policy restricting travel to the Middle East, we do not believe this decision reflects the extensive assurances provided to all championship stakeholders.

“Following consultation with the State of Qatar, Lusail International Circuit, independent safety advisers and MotoGP's own ongoing risk assessment process, MotoGP has not received any information that would warrant a change to the current plans for the event.

“We communicated that position, together with the latest available information, to all Manufacturers and Teams today and welcome the confirmation from the remainder of the grid that they will compete in Qatar, and we thank them for that commitment.”