– Despite the military tensions in the Middle East, Qatar continues preparations for the Formula 1 and MotoGP races. The Lusail Circuit is scheduled for November 8 in the MotoGP calendar and November 29 in the Formula 1 calendar. Formula 1 plans to hold the season finale in Abu Dhabi a week later.
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The conflict between the USA, Israel, and Iran has already significantly disrupted the calendars of international racing series. The WEC initially had to postpone the 1812 kilometers of Qatar and eventually cancel it altogether.
The race was originally scheduled for February, then moved to October, and finally canceled. The season finale was subsequently moved to Monza. The Formula 1 Grand Prix of Bahrain was relocated to Sepang in Malaysia.
Carlos Ezpeleta, Deputy MotoGP CEO, reaffirmed last weekend in Aragon that the current plan is to hold the race in Qatar in early November.
“We are still working on it and talking with the Qatari government to see if the race is possible. I know that other events in the region have been confirmed in recent days.”
“We continue to try to race in Qatar, and if that is not possible, we will see if there is a Plan B or not. But as I said, the priority remains to race in Qatar,” said Ezpeleta.
Is there a deadline by which it must be decided whether the race is feasible? “Before we head to the Asia tour, we will have made a decision.”
Qatar assures: Races will take place
Qatar also confirms that the MotoGP race and the Formula 1 race will be held. “The plan is to hold the race,” says Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai, President of the QMMF and the Lusail International Circuit.
“Of course, some things cannot be predicted. It is difficult. We do not know what will happen. The situation has been very volatile but has remained very calm so far. It will depend on what happens in the next two months or so.”
“From our side, we cannot stop the preparations. We have to be ready. We are proceeding step by step to observe and assess the situation. But at the moment, everything is fine. Everything remains as planned.”
The QMMF President also emphasized that Qatar currently assumes it can host international events again under normal conditions.
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“We have to separate geopolitics from Qatar’s capabilities when it comes to organizing sporting events. Qatar has proven that it is capable of safely hosting major international sporting events.”
“The events of 2026 do not change our capabilities or our commitment. Qatar has been safe for several months. Our airport is operating at 100 percent, especially regarding transit flights between Asia and Europe.”
“If you come to Qatar, you will see that normality has returned here. We are therefore really looking forward to welcoming the races again very soon.”
MotoGP calendar for 2027 still awaited
MotoGP has not yet released the calendar for 2027. It is certain that the launch event will take place on February 21 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Two weeks later, the season begins on March 7 in Buriram (Thailand).
The dates for the winter tests are also set. On January 29 and 30, the shakedown test will take place in Sepang, followed by two official test days on January 31 and February 1. Then, on February 6 and 7, there will be two test days in Buriram.
No further dates have been presented yet. With Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Adelaide (Australia), there will be two new events. The calendar is expected to be presented in the coming weeks.
“The calendar for 2027 is almost finalized,” says Ezpeleta. “Of course, we are waiting to see how the situation in the Middle East develops, as that would also affect the calendar for next year.”
“We are probably still two, three, four weeks away from being able to announce it. The calendar is, as I said, 95 percent finalized. Two new events will be added next season, which we are extremely excited about.”
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“And we believe that everyone, the fans, the teams, and the riders, will really, really enjoy it. I think we are definitely moving in the right direction in terms of racing events and events.”
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