Crisis management: Will the MotoGP head to the Qatar Desert GP or not?

The 2026 MotoGP season had only just got into full swing when the MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, which organises the series, was forced to reschedule the calendar. Due to the major military conflict that has flared up in the Middle East, the original date – scheduled to take place before the European season opener at the end of March – had to be postponed to November 2026. As things stand, the Qatar Grand Prix will take place from 6 November at the Losail Circuit, not far from the capital, Doha.

The fact that the official authorities, including those on the ground, are confident is also evident from the fact that the Grand Prix is scheduled to take place in the spring again in 2027 . However, there is certainly no question of business as usual without any complications. This is because the region continues to be classified as a high-risk area. A number of countries, including Germany and Austria, are maintaining their travel warnings for the entire region.

The same applies to MotoGP: business is business

Overall, the global political situation remains unclear. As it is impossible to make a clear forecast regarding developments, including those surrounding Qatar, in the coming weeks and months, the full extent of the ambivalence is becoming apparent just one month before the event. On the one hand, there is the MotoGP business, which will go ahead for as long as the legal framework allows. As long as the authorities and the national organisers open the gates, the MotoGP will march in – and do so as one.

The stance in the paddock is clear. Business comes first; there are no thoughts of a boycott. If the official authorities give the green light, all teams will compete in round 20 of the World Championship.

Speaking at the Indonesian Grand Prix, MotoGP manager Carlos Ezpeleta said: “We are currently working, as planned, on organising the Qatar Grand Prix, whilst the safety of all participants, our staff and the fans remains our top priority. However, should the situation change at short notice, we will respond and draw up a safe plan with the teams and the organisers, just as we did when the 2024 Valencia Grand Prix was cancelled.”

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On the other hand, there is a generally negative mood, compounded by the travel policies that are standard practice in some large companies (such as Honda or Yamaha). Permanent technicians and staff are likely still to be engaged in intensive discussions with their HR departments. To travel or not to travel: people with purely private interests can answer this question using common sense alone.

The situation is different in the business world, which also includes MotoGP. For Liberty Media and the organising MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, it is not just about the World Championship, but about sums in the millions on 22 occasions. From a professional perspective, the unwavering determination to set off for the desert is understandable. Personal reservations, considerations or even fears about deliberately heading for an international theatre of war are not on the agenda. Not yet, at least.