MotoGP: Yamaha pulls out of the Qatar GP, smaller grid at Lusail

Yamaha will not take part in the MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail. On Sunday 1 November 2026 the manufacturer announced that its factory team and the Pramac team would not travel, citing company-wide travel restrictions. Four bikes are therefore missing, just as Marc Márquez can clinch his tenth world title there.

Why Yamaha is staying home

Yamaha relies on its travel advice for the Middle East, which it maintains despite the measures announced by the promoter. The decision comes amid uncertainty over paddock safety, linked to fears of an escalation of the conflict involving Iran. For its part, MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group says it has provided detailed safety guarantees and has no information that would justify changing the calendar.

The championship believes Yamaha could be in breach of its commitments to MotoGP and the IRTA. Any sporting consequences would fall to the FIM, but no sanction has been officially announced.

A thinning grid

According to Crash.net, only 17 riders are confirmed on the entry list as of 2 November. Five names are missing:

• Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins (Yamaha factory);
• Jack Miller and Augusto Fernandez (Pramac Yamaha), the latter standing in for the injured Toprak Razgatlioglu;
• Álex Márquez (Gresini), who is skipping the race to have surgery on his right shoulder.

Four other riders remain in doubt: Fermin Aldeguer (hand injury), Joan Mir (health problems), Raul Fernandez (broken finger from Mandalika) and Jorge Martin (wrist). If all withdrew, the grid would have 13 starters; a projection of 12 or 13 is circulating, without official confirmation. MotoGP has not had such a small field since 2010 (15 starters at Assen and Silverstone) and 2011 (14 starters in Australia).

The riders and the other manufacturers

During the Malaysian Grand Prix, 19 of the 22 riders signed a letter saying they would not race in Qatar unless the championship accepted full liability. Several outlets report that this demand was not met and that the championship intends to penalise boycotts. Most riders are waiting until the last moment to travel.

Honda has confirmed it will be in Qatar, and Ducati, Aprilia and KTM are maintaining their intention to take part.

What is at stake in the title fight

After his win in Malaysia, Marc Márquez (Ducati) leads Jorge Martin by 44 points and Marco Bezzecchi by 67. He plans to arrive on Thursday evening, as late as possible, and has not taken a public position on whether the race should go ahead.

The editorial team