– The Grand Prix of Qatar planned for November is still uncertain. While the conflict in the Middle East continues, the MotoGP teams are waiting for a decision on whether the race in Lusail can actually take place.
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Time is becoming increasingly tight for the crews: Planning material transports and personnel travel at the end of the season depends directly on the further race calendar.
Originally, the Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit was supposed to take place on April 12. However, due to the war situation in the Middle East, the race was postponed to November 8. The rescheduling had further consequences for the calendar: The Portuguese Grand Prix was moved to November 22, and the season finale in Valencia will now take place on November 29.
However, it is not yet guaranteed that MotoGP will actually travel to Qatar in November. Formula 1 faces a similar situation. It is scheduled to compete in Lusail on November 29 and currently plans to make a decision in September.
Team boss Steiner warns: “It must not be too late”
Günther Steiner, team owner of Tech3-KTM, recently stated in Silverstone that he has not yet dealt intensively with the current development. At the same time, the former Formula 1 team boss made it clear that a decision cannot be delayed indefinitely.
“Actually, I have to talk to Carlos (Ezpeleta, MotoGP Sporting Director; editor’s note) about it. We have not yet discussed when they will announce a decision about Qatar,” said Steiner. “I have no date.”
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A decision is especially important for the teams for logistical reasons. The material must be shipped in time and the personnel planned accordingly.
“I don’t think it can be too late, otherwise we can’t ship the material in time,” explains the Tech3 owner and adds: “I think Formula 1 will make an announcement in September, so it will probably be similar. But that’s just my guess.”
Alternative race track possible for the Qatar GP
If the race in Lusail cannot take place, MotoGP apparently does not rule out holding it at another location. The Grand Prix could still be held under the name “Grand Prix of Qatar.”
A similar approach is planned by Formula 1. There, the Bahrain Grand Prix in October is to be held in Malaysia. It officially runs under the name Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, as the government of Bahrain remains the primary promoter of the event and bears the licensing fees for hosting.
For Steiner, something else is in the foreground in the current situation rather than holding a race: “The best solution would be for the war to end.”
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“I think we all agree on a human level. That’s what we have to hope for, and that’s my hope,” emphasizes the Tech3 boss. “After that, we can go there and hold a race. But that is the most important thing for everyone involved and also for the economy worldwide.”
Bagnaia hopes for a quick decision
Ducati factory rider Francesco Bagnaia is also eagerly awaiting a decision. For the Italian, it is not only about holding the Qatar Grand Prix but also about planning the last postponed season races.
“For me, the earlier we know, the better,” says Bagnaia. “Especially since they have already postponed two races in Europe so that we can race in Qatar.”
Above all, the postponement of the Valencia Grand Prix worries the Ducati rider. The season finale is now scheduled for November 29 and thus takes place even later in the year – with corresponding effects.
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Bagnaia recalls the 2020 season. Back then, the Corona pandemic also forced MotoGP to have a heavily changed calendar. Valencia was the venue for two consecutive race weekends on November 8 and 15. The temperatures were already unusually low at that time.
“In December in Valencia would be borderline”
“Imagine we race in December in Valencia. That might not be dangerous, but it would definitely be borderline,” warns Bagnaia. “Imagine what could await us there. In past seasons, I felt we were quite lucky. But racing so late in Valencia …”
Why the Ducati rider has concerns: “I remember 2020: In the morning, we had about six degrees Celsius. Riding a MotoGP bike at six degrees Celsius and seeing frost on the grass is quite difficult.”
Nevertheless, he wants to wait for further developments. For him, it would be crucial that a possible cancellation happens as early as possible. “But we’ll see. I just hope that if they decide early enough to cancel Qatar, they put the races back on the originally planned dates.”
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One thing is certain: The longer the decision is delayed, the more difficult it becomes to organize the season finale without further impacts on the calendar.
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