MotoGP riders are expected to meet again over the Qatar Grand Prix as the decision on the Lusail event draws closer. The race is still scheduled for 6–8 November 2026, but the safety of personnel travelling to the Gulf has become the central issue surrounding the championship’s visit.

Riders held a private meeting during the Australian Grand Prix weekend and voted on whether racing in Qatar was acceptable. Around two-thirds of those present were opposed. They sought assurances from MotoGP Group, including an evacuation plan should the event go ahead. Cancelling the race through a riders’ vote would require unanimity, and that threshold does not currently appear to have been reached.

A calendar reshaped by the postponement

Qatar’s round had originally been due to run in April, but it was postponed after war broke out between the United States and Iran in February. The replacement date at Lusail also forced the final two rounds in Portugal and Valencia to be moved later in the schedule. MotoGP and Qatar continue to maintain that the event can take place despite the surrounding uncertainty.

Other championships have taken a different course. The FIA WEC, WRC and Dakar Rally have cancelled Gulf-region events, while MotoGP and Formula 1 intend to continue with their Qatar plans. A team boss said staging both races would be an unacceptable choice if the conflict escalates, arguing that the associated risk must be taken seriously.

The United States is said to have warned several Gulf states to prepare for an intense military campaign in the coming days. Any further escalation could close airspace around the region, creating major logistical consequences for MotoGP’s presence in Qatar and for the closing stages of the 2026 season. The next riders’ meeting will therefore address not only the calendar, but also whether a safe stay can be maintained.