MotoGP chief travels to Qatar for critical talks ahead of next week's race

MotoGP Sporting Director Carlos Ezpeleta will travel to Doha this week to seek firm guarantees that next week's Qatar Grand Prix can proceed safely.

Uncertainty surrounding the event in Qatar—originally rescheduled from April to the weekend of November 6–8 due to the conflict in Iran—remains elevated amid escalating regional tensions. In recent weeks, civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia has come under attack by Houthi rebels, prompting several governments to advise their citizens against non-essential travel to the area.

MotoGP officials continue to insist that the Qatar Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled to conclude the current triple-header. However, a last-minute change of plans remains a possibility. During the Australian Grand Prix, riders held a private meeting where the majority reportedly voted against making the trip.

The riders subsequently submitted their safety demands to Chief Sporting Officer Carlos Ezpeleta should the event take place. According to reports from GPOne, Ezpeleta will fly to Doha this week ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix to assess the situation firsthand.

Staging the Qatar GP is of vital financial importance to the championship, but it presents serious logistical and safety risks for paddock personnel. Any escalation of hostilities during their stay could leave teams stranded if regional airspace is closed. Beyond the threat to safety, such a disruption would jeopardize the final two rounds of the season in Portugal and Valencia.

For now, the final call rests with the organizers. Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola addressed the situation at Phillip Island:

However, if the riders fail to receive the necessary security assurances, a boycott remains on the table—a move that would make staging the race impossible.