Qatar could be the venue where Marc Márquez secures the MotoGP world title on Sunday, but the weekend begins under unusual circumstances. The Spaniard admitted that he would rather be somewhere else amid the risk of hostilities flaring up again in the Middle East. He limited his time in the region by taking the latest possible flight and plans to leave on the earliest one available.

Despite those concerns, Márquez said Ducati is there to race and that his side remains fully focused. Yamaha, by contrast, has withdrawn from the Grand Prix because of existing company-wide travel restrictions. The other four manufacturers and nine teams arrived at Lusail International Circuit as planned, so the MotoGP schedule will proceed without Yamaha.

The points equation

To settle the championship in Qatar, Márquez must score 30 points more than Jorge Martin across the weekend while also gaining enough ground on Marco Bezzecchi. If that target is not reached, the title fight will move on to Portimão and potentially the Valencia finale.

Recent form at the circuit gives the Ducati rider an encouraging reference. Last season Márquez won both Qatar races from pole position, recording his first victories at the track since 2014. He identified finishing both races as the immediate priority, leaving the championship opportunity to be decided by what happens across the weekend.

Martin’s participation is still conditional. He fractured his right wrist at Phillip Island less than two weeks ago and could not progress beyond practice at Sepang last weekend. A Friday medical check is required before he can be cleared to return to racing. Alex Márquez will also miss the event after recent shoulder surgery, with Iker Lecuona replacing him at Gresini.