MotoGP Prepared to Move Qatar GP to Another Venue

MotoGP has not ruled out moving the Qatar Grand Prix to another country amid the uncertainty caused by the war in the Middle East, potentially following the same strategy Formula 1 has taken by hosting its Bahrain race in Malaysia. The statement came from MotoGP sporting director Carlos Ezpeleta in an interview with Autosport.

The conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in the Persian Gulf has had a direct impact on this year's sporting calendar, prompting several championships to cancel or postpone events. Formula 1 initially postponed the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain grands prix, but later announced that the latter would take place at Sepang in Malaysia on 4 October, while the Saudi race has been officially cancelled for 2026.

MotoGP faces a similar situation. The Losail circuit in Doha was originally scheduled to host the fourth round on 11-12 April, but organisers opted to reschedule it for 6-8 November. However, security remains a major concern. Some suppliers working with MotoGP have internal policies prohibiting their employees from travelling to high-risk areas.

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Ezpeleta admitted that alternative venues are being considered. “Obviously, the fact that we belong to the same family as F1, Liberty Media, means that this issue is obviously on our minds,” he said. “The situation is different, though. We only have one race in the Middle East and, from a commercial point of view, a 21-stop season rather than 22 is clearly sufficient.”

The final decision on the Qatar race is highly complex from every perspective. Logistically, finding a circuit at short notice that meets MotoGP's safety standards and is available is far from straightforward. Moreover, just two weeks later, all equipment must be ready for the Portuguese Grand Prix. “We are at a point in the year when most European circuits are already occupied,” Ezpeleta said. “Honestly, I hope we can go, and that's what we're focused on right now.”

MotoGP SEG has given itself until the end of this month to make a decision. If the situation in the Middle East does not improve, next year's opening sequence could also be altered. For now, Thailand is set to host the 2027 season opener on 5-7 March, with Qatar as the second round a week later. However, the conflict could force a change to that scenario.

This decision will be a major test for MotoGP in maintaining the season's continuity amid geopolitical uncertainty. Fans certainly hope the racing continues, whether in Qatar or elsewhere safe.