F1 presses ahead with Qatar and Abu Dhabi despite Yamaha's MotoGP boycott shock

Formula 1 intends to proceed with the Qatar Grand Prix on 27-29 November and the Abu Dhabi finale, the championship confirmed in a letter to all teams during the Mexico City weekend, despite the shock announcement that Yamaha and its satellite team Pramac will boycott MotoGP’s own Qatar round at the Lusail International Circuit on 6-8 November.

Yamaha became the first manufacturer to make a public statement on the growing unrest in the MotoGP paddock, with several riders having already voiced private concerns about travelling to the Middle East. MotoGP responded by threatening both contractual and sporting sanctions against those who withdraw, while deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta travelled to Qatar on Thursday to seek safety guarantees from local authorities. Alex Marquez will also miss the MotoGP round, though his absence is unrelated — he requires surgery after a heavy crash at the Catalan Grand Prix in May.

The situation carries particular weight for F1 because both series now fall under the Liberty Media umbrella. In its letter to teams, F1 noted that the other MotoGP manufacturers and the championship as a whole still plan to race in Qatar, and stressed that neither travel advice nor the insurance landscape has changed since May.

Nevertheless, F1 is monitoring developments closely, with the US midterm elections identified as a key variable. There are concerns in the region that ongoing conflicts could escalate in their aftermath, and F1 has already activated a contingency plan centred on Imola. Organisers at the Emilia-Romagna circuit were given the green light more than six weeks ago to begin preparations and erect temporary grandstands, giving the championship the flexibility to pivot quickly if conditions worsen. F1 has committed to covering all preparation costs in Imola should the backup venue ultimately prove unnecessary, ensuring the Italian organisers bear no financial risk.