Yamaha cites travel policy to skip Qatar MotoGP

A Yamaha MotoGP rider rides through the rain as spectators watch during the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island, Australia, Oct. 25, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Japanese manufacturer Yamaha said Sunday it will not take part in next weekend’s Qatar MotoGP, citing “the situation in the Middle East.”

“Yamaha has not identified sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions,” the manufacturer said in a statement.

Among the riders on the MotoGP grid on Yamaha bikes is France’s Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 world champion.

Yamaha’s factory team fields Quartararo and Alex Rins, while its satellite team, Prima Pramac Yamaha, fields Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jack Miller.

MotoGP riders lean into a corner during the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island, Australia, Oct. 24, 2026. (AFP Photo)

MotoGP responds

The MotoGP Group said it was “disappointed” by the decision and that “Yamaha’s non-participation also carries sporting implications.”

“While we recognize 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,” the group said.

MotoGP said talks with Qatari organizers and safety advisers had not flagged any reasons to change plans for the event.

Qatar round and travel warnings

The Qatar round is scheduled for Nov. 6-8 at Lusail International Circuit, north of the capital, Doha.

MotoGP postponed the Qatar Grand Prix from April to November in March because of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.

Japan’s government advises against nonessential travel to Qatar, The Race reported Oct. 23, while the United States, Spain and France have also issued travel cautions for the country.

Yamaha’s statement came shortly after the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang, with three races remaining in the season, starting in Qatar. The Portuguese Grand Prix follows in Portimao on Nov. 22, with the season finale in Valencia, Spain, on Nov. 29.