Yamaha pulls out of the Qatar MotoGP, so Jack Miller won’t race at Lusail this weekend

Motorcycle News ·

Yamaha has withdrawn from this weekend’s Qatar MotoGP at Lusail, and the decision covers its satellite Pramac team, which means Australian Jack Miller will not race. MotoGP says the event will go ahead with the rest of the grid, and has warned Yamaha its absence has contractual and sporting implications.

What Yamaha said

The Qatar round was originally scheduled for April but was postponed to 6–8 November because of the security situation in the Middle East. In a statement issued on 1 November, after the Malaysian Grand Prix, Yamaha said it “has not identified sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions” and that the decision “reflects Yamaha’s assessment of the information currently available”.

Yamaha added that it “remains fully committed to MotoGP and looks forward to returning to competition at the Portuguese Grand Prix”. The withdrawal removes four bikes from the grid: the two factory Yamahas and the two Pramac Yamahas.

MotoGP’s response

MotoGP said it was “disappointed by Yamaha’s decision” and had “not received any information that would warrant a change to the current plans for the event”. It says it consulted Qatari authorities, the Lusail circuit and independent security advisers before confirming the round.

MotoGP says Yamaha’s non-participation has contractual implications under its agreements with MotoGP and the teams’ association IRTA, and that any sporting consequences are a matter for the FIM. No penalty had been announced at the time of writing.

Ducati, Aprilia, KTM and Honda have confirmed they intend to race. Speedcafe reports Honda said it was working “closely with the riders and MotoGPSEG to ensure the weekend goes ahead”.

The riders’ position

Reports say riders met at Sepang and sent a letter to MotoGP organisers opposing the race, with all but three riders signing it. Speaking on Sunday, Miller said: “There’s 19 of us that don’t want to go there.” Speedcafe reports Miller plans to fly home to Townsville instead.

What it means for the championship

Marc Márquez leads the championship by 44 points after winning at Sepang, so Qatar could give him his first chance to wrap up the 2026 title. After Lusail, the season heads to Portugal on 22 November and finishes in Valencia on 29 November. Australia’s Smartraveller advice for Qatar currently tells travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution”.

Sources

Details checked 4 November 2026. Confirm details with the dealer or organiser before you buy or ride.

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