The Qatar MotoGP is approaching against a highly unstable backdrop. Practice at Lusail is expected to begin in three days, with the Grand Prix scheduled for 5–8 November. On 2 November, reports emerged of a US attack on Iran’s Qeshm island, which lies in the Strait of Hormuz.

Qeshm has been linked to attacks on shipping in the area, while the latest strike was reported to have targeted Iranian surface-to-air missile capabilities. The development adds another layer to uncertainty surrounding the event since February, when the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran began. The race had already been moved from its original April date to November, as instability in the Middle East raised concerns among people in the paddock, including some riders.

Five of the six manufacturers are expected to compete in Qatar. Yamaha is the only manufacturer to have confirmed that it will not race at Lusail, with the decision announced after the Malaysian Grand Prix. MotoGP publicly expressed its displeasure, while the rest of the paddock is travelling to Qatar. The latest development leaves personnel safety and the running of the event at the centre of attention.