Yamaha boycotts Qatar Grand Prix amid ongoing Middle East war
Yamaha will not travel to Doha to take part in next week’s Qatar Grand Prix amid the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East, the Japanese manufacturer announced on Sunday. The factory Yamaha team will skip the 20th round of the season at the Losail International Circuit on 6-8, as part of a boycott that could also affect its satellite Pramac team. Yamaha Motor Company has a ... Keep…
Yamaha has announced it will boycott the Qatar Grand Prix due to the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East. This decision comes after the Japanese manufacturer determined there are no sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions, despite efforts by riders and teams to call off the race. MotoGP continues to proceed with the Doha round, with deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta traveling to Qatar to speak with authorities about safety.
However, the region remains unpredictable, especially with US mid-term elections looming. Most countries advise their citizens not to travel to Qatar, and Yamaha has not found sufficient reasons to alter its stance. The decision impacts both Yamaha's own team and its satellite Pramac team. MotoGP Group has reminded teams of their contractual obligations to participate in all rounds, but riders could face sanctions if they skip the Qatar GP. Yamaha remains committed to MotoGP and plans to return at the Portuguese Grand Prix.
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