Yamaha will miss the 2026 Qatar Grand Prix because of existing company-wide travel restrictions. The withdrawal affects both the factory Monster Energy Yamaha team, represented by Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, and Pramac Yamaha, whose riders Jack Miller and Augusto Fernandez will also be absent. Fernandez is competing for Pramac as the replacement for the injured Toprak Razgatlioglu.

In a statement issued at Sepang, Yamaha said the decision was independent of measures taken by MotoGP Group and the event organiser. The manufacturer also reaffirmed its full commitment to MotoGP and said it looked forward to returning at the Portuguese Grand Prix. MotoGP Group responded with disappointment, arguing that consultations with Qatar, Lusail International Circuit, independent safety advisers and its own continuing risk assessment had produced no reason to alter the event plan. It also welcomed confirmation that the rest of the grid would race and warned that Yamaha’s absence could carry contractual and sporting consequences.

The rest of the entry list

As of Thursday, Yamaha was the only manufacturer or team missing the Qatar Grand Prix because of the situation in the Middle East. The Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team will still compete, however, as it fights for this year’s intermediate-class championship with Izan Guevara.

The absent riders also include Alex Marquez, who is recovering from shoulder surgery and is replaced by Iker Lecuona, and Joan Mir. Mir is missing again because of fatigue-related vision problems, with Jake Dixon taking his place. Jorge Martin, Raul Fernandez and Fermin Aldeguer were due to undergo medical checks on Thursday before their participation could be confirmed. Martin and Fernandez had withdrawn from Sepang with injuries, while Aldeguer suffered a hand fracture at Mandalika.

Marquez gets his first title opportunity

Qatar is the first event where Marc Marquez can mathematically secure the 2026 MotoGP crown. The factory Ducati rider must outscore Jorge Martin by 30 points and Marco Bezzecchi by eight to seal his tenth world championship. Should he win the Grand Prix, the required margin over Bezzecchi drops to seven points.

The race is Round 20 of the season, followed by the final meetings in Portimao and Valencia. Marquez was among the riders choosing to travel to Qatar as late as possible, which moved the pre-race press conference to 8pm local time.