Only Three MotoGP Riders Want to Race in Qatar as Grid Threatens to Shrink
Just three of MotoGP's 22 riders are reported to want to race this weekend's Qatar Grand Prix, with the grid potentially shrinking to as few as 13 starters.
MotoGP's Qatar Grand Prix is facing the prospect of its smallest grid in more than 15 years after it emerged that only three of the championship's 22 riders want to race at Lusail this weekend. According to Spanish journalist Mela Chercoles, reported by Visordown, Marco Bezzecchi, Ai Ogura and Johann Zarco are the only riders in favour of racing, while 19 signed a letter in Malaysia declaring they did not want to compete unless the championship accepted full liability. Yamaha have already withdrawn entirely, meaning Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Jack Miller and stand-in Augusto Fernandez will not race, and Alex Marquez has also pulled out to undergo surgery on the shoulder he injured in May. Joan Mir, Jorge Martin, Fermin Aldeguer and Raul Fernandez remain doubtful, and if all of them withdraw the grid would feature just 13 starters. MotoGP has insisted the November 6-8 race will go ahead and confirmed all other manufacturers are committed, while warning Yamaha of sporting consequences to be managed by the FIM. The standoff follows weeks of safety concerns over travelling to the Middle East amid the ongoing regional conflict.