MotoGP riders at risk of extraordinary ban over refusal to race in Qatar - report

MotoGP riders who refuse to travel to Qatar risk being barred from the final two rounds of the season, in Portugal and Valencia, according to a report.

Autosport writes that tensions between the grid and the championship's authorities have escalated sharply over the Lusail race, which remains on the calendar despite ongoing conflict in the Middle Eastern region.

Three-quarters of the grid voiced opposition to travelling to Doha during meetings at Phillip Island last weekend. But by Saturday's gathering in Malaysia, that number had supposidely dropped to just three riders, with most now resigned to making the trip.

Friday's meeting, held in Sepang, lasted an hour and had to take place in Yamaha's communications office after organisers rejected a request for a proper meeting room, a detail that underlines how strained relations have become.

Riders have been warned there is little room for manoeuvre. Most countries represented in the paddock are advising against travel to Qatar rather than issuing outright bans, meaning force majeure cannot currently be invoked to cancel the event without financial cost to the championship.

Organisers insist the race will go ahead as planned. Sources within the organisation say the Qatari government has given guarantees covering a paddock evacuation plan, financial protection against airspace closures and repatriation insurance in case of an escalation.

MGPSEG deputy managing director Carlos Ezpeleta visited Doha this week for a conference before flying to Malaysia on Friday, the same day riders held their meeting.

Unless riders can provide a clear, unequivocal justification for missing the event, they face financial penalties passed on by their teams, as well as possible sporting sanctions from the FIM stretching into next season, with any rider skipping Friday practice in Doha risking exclusion from the title run-in at the final two rounds.