MotoGP deputy chief Carlos Ezpeleta has defended the decision to hold the Qatar Grand Prix despite riders’ concerns about travelling to the Gulf during the United States-Israel war on Iran, while expressing surprise at Yamaha’s withdrawal.

Speaking to Reuters on Wednesday, in reporting published by Al Jazeera, Ezpeleta said the championship relied on official information from Qatar’s government and embassies representing countries with a substantial presence in the paddock.

The race was moved from April to November 6–8 because of the regional conflict. Ezpeleta said it would have been cancelled or postponed again had the situation escalated.

“We can unequivocally say that it was the right decision,” he said. “Obviously, it was normal that the riders showed their concerns, and I think that we mitigated those and confronted them to the best that we possibly could.”

Ezpeleta said Qatar had not been affected in the same way as neighbouring Gulf countries, and planning accelerated after conditions improved in June and July. He argued that speculation and misinformation had contributed to concerns surrounding the event.

Yamaha nevertheless withdrew, citing company-wide travel restrictions for the Middle East. Its factory team and satellite outfit Prima Pramac did not compete, leaving an 18-rider field.

Ezpeleta said the withdrawal surprised MotoGP given the detail of its assessment and planning, adding that Yamaha’s questions had been answered. He acknowledged that the company would not have made the decision easily.

The consequences remain unresolved. Ezpeleta declined to speculate about penalties, saying MotoGP would handle contractual matters directly with Yamaha while sporting issues would be addressed by motorcycle racing’s governing body, FIM.

Yamaha and FIM did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Yamaha’s Moto2 team did travel to Qatar. Rider Izan Guevara, who was second in that championship and involved in a close title contest, failed to finish after a technical problem.

Ezpeleta also acknowledged that MotoGP needed to improve communication with teams and riders, describing them as the championship’s most important participants.

On track, Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi won the Qatar Grand Prix. Ducati’s Marc Marquez, who won the sprint, finished second in the main race and held a 60-point championship lead with two rounds remaining.

Sources