The 2026 Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled to run at Lusail International Circuit from Nov. 6 to 8, bringing MotoGP back to the Gulf after the race was moved from its original April date. The weekend is unfolding amid questions from riders about travel and safety in a region affected by conflict.

Race proceeds after review, but Yamaha withdraws

MotoGP officials said they had reviewed information from Qatari authorities, the circuit, relevant embassies and independent experts before deciding the event could stay on the calendar. The series has said its assessments continue to inform its decisions, while acknowledging rider concerns about the trip.

Yamaha will not take part. The manufacturer said it did not have sufficient grounds to send its teams and staff, citing its internal safety policy. The withdrawal leaves its factory and satellite teams absent from the Qatar round, a rare gap on the grid and a reminder that the decision to stage the race has not erased the unease around it.

A rescheduled round with championship stakes

The event was originally planned for April and moved to November as organizers revised the calendar. The Qatar weekend is listed as a late-season round, with practice and qualifying ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix. Its night race at Lusail is a familiar stop on the championship schedule, but this year’s circumstances have made logistics and security part of the story.

Riders and teams have sought clearer assurances about travel and contingency plans. Reuters reported that organizers discussed the latest assessments with teams, and that some riders had requested further information. The MotoGP series has said safety remains a priority, while noting that no event can guarantee a risk-free environment.

For the championship, the race still offers a chance to shape the closing rounds. For organizers, the weekend is also a test of whether the assurances provided are enough to maintain confidence among competitors and staff. The decision to proceed keeps the event on the calendar; Yamaha’s absence shows that teams may reach different conclusions about the risk.

What to watch

Attention will turn to how many riders and teams compete, whether any further schedule changes are announced, and how organizers communicate safety measures during the weekend. The race itself is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 8, at Lusail International Circuit.

Sources

Reuters: MotoGP keeps Qatar GP on track after meeting with teams, Yamaha withdraws
Associated Press via Yahoo Sports: Yamaha pulls out of Qatar MotoGP over safety concerns
Yahoo Sports: Qatar Grand Prix schedule and session times
MotoGP: Official Qatar Grand Prix event schedule