MotoGP postpones Qatar GP amid Middle East tensions

MotoGP has announced the postponement of the Qatar Grand Prix originally scheduled for next month, citing safety concerns amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The Lusail International Circuit, which was set to host the fourth round of the 2026 championship from April 10-12, will now hold the race on November 8, organizers confirmed Sunday. “Following extensive scenario planning and calendar analysis, the revised date has been chosen to ensure minimal disruption to the wider MotoGP schedule,” the statement said.

The Portuguese Grand Prix will now take place on November 22, with the season finale in Valencia moved to November 29. Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi currently leads the championship after the opening round in Thailand, with upcoming races in Brazil (March 20-22) and the United States (March 27-29) remaining on schedule.

Impact on Global Racing

The announcement follows similar decisions by Formula One and the FIA, which stated that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix would not proceed in April due to regional safety concerns. These areas have been affected by Iran’s retaliatory attacks after recent strikes by the United States and Israel.

“While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East,” said Stefano Domenicali, F1 president and CEO. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem added, “The FIA will always place the safety and well being of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind.”

While F1 did not explicitly label the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races as canceled, the changes indicate the increasing impact of geopolitical tensions on global motorsport schedules. MotoGP and F1 organizers continue to monitor the situation closely as the 2026 season unfolds.