# Qatar Grand Prix was ‘right decision’ despite regional tensions: MotoGP

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/qatar-grand-prix-was-right-decision-despite-regional-tensions-motogp/
- Published: 2026-11-11T14:58:15+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T21:53:39+00:00
- Original publisher: Al Jazeera (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/11/11/motogp-carlos-ezpeleta-deputy-ceo-qatar-grand-prix-yamaha-iran-war?traffic_source=rss
- Topics: Motorsport, Sport, World

## Key points

- MotoGP said proceeding with Qatar’s rescheduled race was the right call.
- Yamaha’s withdrawal cut the field to 18 riders.
- MotoGP acknowledged it needs to improve communication with riders and teams.

## Summary

MotoGP deputy chief Carlos Ezpeleta said holding the Qatar Grand Prix on 6–8 November was the right decision despite riders’ concerns about travelling during the United States-Israel war on Iran. The race had been moved from April because of the regional conflict, and Ezpeleta said it would have been cancelled or postponed again if conditions had worsened.

MotoGP based its decision on information from Qatar’s government and embassies, and accelerated preparations after conditions improved in June and July. Yamaha’s factory and Prima Pramac teams withdrew, reducing the field to 18 riders; Ezpeleta said this surprised MotoGP, while any sporting consequences are for governing body FIM to handle. Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi won the race, and Ezpeleta said MotoGP should improve communication with riders and teams.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.