MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta has confirmed that the series remains hopeful about holding the Qatar Grand Prix in November, despite the recent intensification of conflict involving Iran in the region. The ongoing US-Iran war, which began in February, has significantly impacted the motorsport calendar. Originally slated for April, the Qatar race was postponed to November 6-8, leading to adjustments in the final two rounds of the season to accommodate this shift. Yet, uncertainty still surrounds the event, with a final decision on Qatar’s place in the 2026 schedule imminent.
As tensions in the Middle East have worsened, doubts about staging the Qatar event have grown. Other major motorsport series have also been affected: the FIA World Endurance Championship had to relocate its Bahrain finale to Europe, Formula 1 moved the Bahrain Grand Prix to Malaysia on October 2-4, and the World Rally Championship canceled its final round in Saudi Arabia, originally set for a week after MotoGP’s Qatar race. Speaking to DAZN at the Austrian GP, Ezpeleta stated that the plan remains to race in Qatar, with ongoing discussions with local authorities who have expressed their readiness to host the event. He emphasized that unless there is a major change, the race will proceed as scheduled.
It is notable that Qatar Airways sponsors the Austrian Grand Prix, which may be influencing the timing of the decision regarding the Qatar race. With eight races left in the championship, where Jorge Martin leads by just three points, teams are eagerly awaiting clarity on the calendar. Recent reports suggest that if the Qatar GP is canceled, it will not be replaced, resulting in a loss of 37 championship points. This could also affect other classes, such as Moto3, where dominant leader Max Quilles might see his title decided without further competition. The uncertain Middle East situation has also delayed the release of the 2027 MotoGP calendar, although Formula 1’s 2027 schedule still includes Bahrain and Saudi Arabia at its start. Ezpeleta indicated that the 2027 calendar announcement is expected soon, likely next week or shortly thereafter.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for racing fans because Qatar’s presence on the calendar not only affects the championship battle but also reflects how international conflicts can disrupt global sporting events. How the sport navigates these challenges will shape its adaptability and resilience in uncertain times, impacting teams, riders, and fans worldwide.
Source: www.crash.net
