MotoGP confident Qatar race can go ahead despite rider pushback

Marc Marquez, the MotoGP championship leader, is among the riders seeking firmer safety assurances ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Riders want firmer safety guarantees before flying to the Gulf, but MotoGP intends to run next weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix regardless, with organisers insisting that a “zero-risk environment” cannot realistically be promised.

The race at the Lusail International Circuit, originally planned for April, was shifted to November 6-8 because of the US-Israeli war against Iran.

“MotoGP has provided teams and riders with every assurance available from the State of Qatar, the circuit... and our own ongoing risk assessment processes,” a MotoGP spokesperson said.

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“We fully respect the concerns raised and highlight that safety remains the priority for everyone involved.”

Riders want further safety guarantees

The spokesperson added that expecting a zero-risk setting is unrealistic anywhere in the world, for any government or organiser.

“Over the past months, we have maintained continuous dialogue with teams and riders, sharing the latest information available, providing direct access to documents and answering questions openly and transparently,” the spokesperson said.

MotoGP deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta travelled to Qatar on Thursday, where circuit president Abdulrahman Al-Mannai said the venue was prepared to host riders, teams and fans for the season’s 20th round.

Spain’s embassy in Qatar, however, has urged its nationals to avoid travelling to the Gulf nation unless it is absolutely necessary. Spaniards form the biggest group on the grid, among them world champion Marc Marquez.

A person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters that Qatar had promised teams would not be left stranded if the conflict escalated, and that they could leave the country safely in time for the last two rounds, in Portugal and Spain later in November.

The same person said championship leader Marquez, a seven-time MotoGP champion, was among the riders asking for more assurances.

“Additional impossible asks at the last moment go beyond what can realistically be guaranteed by any event organiser, government or sporting body,” the MotoGP spokesperson said. “Our position is based solely on the most up-to-date intelligence, expert advice and assurances available to us.”

Aprilia eager to ‘turn the page’

Marquez has not made his position on travelling to Qatar public. Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi, however, came to his defence after the rider faced criticism for not taking a stance.

“I have read that all the blame has been placed on Marc, as if he were the one who did not want to go to Qatar. That is not the case,” he told Sky Sports. “Marc simply asked, as many other riders did, for an organisational safety plan — nothing more, nothing less. He did not say, ‘I don’t want to go’.

“There are circumstances that could make you think it would be better not to go. But if the necessary safety conditions are in place, including an evacuation plan and guarantees that there will be no problems if something happens, then we will go.”

Marquez did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ducati confirmed the Italian team would travel to Qatar.

Aprilia is eager to race there with Spain’s Jorge Martin, second in the standings behind Marquez, who pulled out of the Malaysian Grand Prix with a wrist injury.

“We need to turn the page and look to the next chapter, Qatar, hoping it goes better, and keep this fight going to the last,” said Aprilia’s technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini.

“This setback has certainly made things harder for us.”

The MotoGP source confirmed that no decision has been made on sporting sanctions for teams or riders who skip Qatar.

Alex Marquez skips Qatar

Alex Marquez, Marc’s brother, confirmed on Sunday that he will miss the Qatar Grand Prix to have shoulder surgery, after finishing third in Malaysia. The Gresini Ducati rider is aiming to return at Portimao.

Alex has battled a shoulder problem since a crash at the Catalan Grand Prix in May, which left him with a fractured collarbone and damage to his right shoulder.

“Since the Catalunya accident, I have struggled with my right shoulder,” he told reporters. “I decided to have surgery in Madrid... I will try to come back in Portimao.”