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Tensions surrounding races in the Middle East continue to escalate. MotoGP riders have renewed talks about forming their own union and are even weighing potential legal action amid mounting uncertainty over the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix.
According to reports from The Race, a secret riders' meeting took place during the Australian Grand Prix weekend. Talks centered on travel safety and the feasibility of staging the race at the Lusail International Circuit in just two weeks' time, against the backdrop of an escalating regional conflict. Reportedly, two-thirds of the grid voted against taking part in the Grand Prix.
Carlos Ezpeleta, Dorna's Chief Sporting Officer, stated that the Qatar round remains on the MotoGP schedule, while emphasizing that the safety of riders and paddock personnel remains the championship's top priority. In other words, the commercial rights holder has not shifted its stance.
In this case, MotoGP and Formula 1 share an identical position regarding Middle Eastern events, as the commercial rights for both world championships are held by the same parent company, Liberty Media.
Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that further strikes by the US and Israel against Iran are being prepared following the American elections on November 3, as the wider conflict drags on. Separately, the US Department of State ordered the departure of diplomatic staff and their families from Saudi Arabia following deadly attacks by Houthi rebels.
The riders' vote could accelerate the formation of a formal representative body to challenge any push by teams or series organizers to force them to compete in Qatar. The standoff once again highlights the limited leverage riders have in key decision-making processes.
"The situation in the Middle East changes every day and seems to worsen with each passing day," said Gresini Ducati rider Alex Marquez. "MotoGP tells us that everything is under control, but I don't think anyone can claim things are truly under control given these conditions. I know this isn't a call that needs to be made today, but championship bosses must take a realistic look at the situation over the coming days."
Addressing the prospect of establishing a MotoGP riders' association, Tech3 KTM rider Enea Bastianini said:
"We talked about it, and it's crucial that we all speak with one voice. This is vital for our future. We started working on a union project two years ago but didn't see it through, and I believe we need to have some say. The teams have leverage, Dorna has leverage, and we have none. That's not right, because this sport doesn't exist without us—just as we don't exist without it—so a compromise must be reached."
Over in Formula 1, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem maintained that the final two rounds of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will proceed as scheduled. However, Williams driver and Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) director Carlos Sainz warned that such confidence might be premature.
"They seem completely convinced that everything will go ahead. Speaking purely for myself and not as a GPDA representative, I think it's very difficult to be certain right now because so much continues to unfold in the Middle East. With the upcoming US elections and geopolitical shifts that could abruptly change the landscape over the next month and a half, I think it's too early to be so confident," the Spaniard noted.
Sainz added that drivers would ultimately abide by the governing bodies' decisions, acknowledging that competitors lack access to the comprehensive intelligence available to the sport's leadership. Williams later issued a formal clarification on his behalf:
"Following media coverage of my press conference remarks regarding the Middle East season finale, I want to clarify that I am fully confident the FIA and Formula 1 put safety first, and I trust them completely to make the right decision. We are looking forward to racing in Qatar and Abu Dhabi."
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