QMMF and Lusail International Circuit say still planning for Qatar MotoGP and F1 to go ahead

[u/DavidEmmett]

https://www.reuters.com/sports/formula1/qatar-still-planning-host-motogp-f1-races-2026-09-01/

The QMMF (Qatari motorsports federation) and the Lusail International Circuit issued a Q&A (which I did not receive, but Reuters did) stating that despite the cancellation of the FIA WEC round at Qatar, they are still planning to host MotoGP and F1 at the circuit. Preparation is going ahead as normal, and the airport is functioning at 100% capacity.

At Aragon, I asked senior officials off the record what the status of Qatar was. They told me, still no decision been made about it. There were rumours that it had been cancelled already, but those rumours were based on the idea that Austria had issued a travel ban for Austrian citizens to Qatar. That is false. Austria has Qatar as a code yellow - travel, but be aware and take precautions.

So, for the moment, looks like Qatar is on. But that could still change in the next couple of weeks. I expect a decision before MotoGP heads off to the flyaways. The teams have to know by then just because of the logistics involved.

[u/crimilde]

Thank you for the update David! Much appreciated!

[u/LilAbeSimpson]

Tourism in Qatar and the region in general has completely collapsed. So they want to hold these races to make it look like things are ok.

Then MotoGP and F1 both desperately want the money that Qatar pays them to host these races.

Global politics and insurance companies will dictate whether or not these races actually happen. Racing in an active war zone isn’t a good look either way.

[u/SuitPrestigious1694 → u/LilAbeSimpson]

Liberty Media buying Patriot missiles wasn't in my armageddon bingo.

[u/GzehooGR]

F1 and MotoGP: does everything to keep Qatar GP in the calendar.

WEC: "f\ck it, we have more options!"*

[u/DavidEmmett → u/GzehooGR]

Qatar pays a huge amount of money for F1 and MotoGP. MotoGP, especially, can't really afford to lose the Qatar GP without suffering serious financial consequences. So the incentives to race are much higher. No idea what Qatar pays FIA WEC, but I'd wager it is an order of magnitude less than MotoGP gets.

[u/AdamR46]

I imagine it's going to come down to employer's insurance policies on employee travel to the country with the current travel advisories from the company headquarters (England/Spain). What do you think?

[u/nonamejustaperson]

Screw Qatar. Been manipulating universities in the West for far too long.

[u/redridernl]

Peter Bom mentioned on the podcast that both parties may be waiting for the other to back out for financial reasons.

[u/Altair13Sirio]

I hate that they're trying so hard to make this GP happen...