Qatar remains committed to hosting its scheduled MotoGP and Formula One races this November, according to Abdul Rahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai, president of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF). Despite ongoing regional uncertainty, officials are moving forward with preparations for the events at the Lusail circuit near Doha.
MotoGP is currently slated to take place on November 8, while Formula One is scheduled for November 29. Formula One management has indicated that a final decision regarding the Qatar Grand Prix will be made in mid-September. Should the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi fail to proceed, the season is expected to conclude in Europe. Meanwhile, the World Endurance Championship has already opted to cancel its round in Qatar, which was originally set for October 24.
Addressing concerns regarding the regional climate, Al Mannai emphasized that daily life in Qatar has returned to normal. In a Q&A session released by the QMMF, he noted that the country’s airport is fully operational, handling transit flights between Asia and Europe. While acknowledging that the situation remains fluid and unpredictable, Al Mannai stated that the federation must continue its preparations. He added that while they are assessing developments on a step-by-step basis, current indicators remain positive for the events to proceed as planned.
The regional instability, stemming from the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran that began in February, has led to a near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz. While Washington has largely avoided targeting Iran’s primary oil and gas infrastructure, Iran has warned that such actions would trigger retaliatory strikes against its Gulf neighbors. These Middle Eastern races represent a significant financial component for Formula One, contributing tens of millions of dollars in annual hosting fees. The report also notes that motoGP is scheduled to race at the same track on November 8. The report also notes that including transit flights between Asia and Europe, our airport is 100% operational.
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