By Yamaha pulled its MotoGP team out of this weekend’s Qatar race, but F1 still has Qatar and Abu Dhabi on its calendar and Audi’s logistics are “en route.”
Most MotoGP riders preferred not to travel to Qatar because of the war with Iran, Motorsport.com reported, though by the Malaysian round only three were still opposed to going.
In the world of four-wheel racing, F1 is moving forward with plans to race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, although those plans could still change.
Yamaha’s Withdrawal and What It Says About the Middle East Situation
On Sunday, Nov. 1, Yamaha formally announced that it would not take part in the Qatar Grand Prix, citing “the situation in the Middle East.” “Yamaha has not identified sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions,” it said in a statement, according to Al Jazeera.
A Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker was hit by unidentified objects in the Gulf late last week, and Qatar came under Iranian attacks from February to April. The MotoGP Group said it was “disappointed” with Yamaha’s decision and that its “non-participation also carries sporting implications.” It also said the rest of the grid has confirmed it will compete.
What F1 Is Doing About the Uncertainty
Because of the war with Iran, both races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi have been called into question. Teams have reportedly been told that Nov. 10 is the deadline to approve Imola as a replacement race on Dec. 6, according to journalist Adam Cooper, though F1 has not formally confirmed it. In essence, a final answer on whether F1 will visit the Middle East may only come after the Brazilian Grand Prix. If Qatar and Abu Dhabi are both canceled after that date, the season could end under the neon lights of Las Vegas on Nov. 22.
Audi’s Allan McNish said there was no updated information on either race. “So we’re going to Qatar, Abu Dhabi,” he said. “All our logistics are en route. So we don’t have a deadline. It’s a deadline of the championship,” McNish added.
Following Yamaha’s withdrawal, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur was asked about the race situation. “So far, it’s on the calendar, but I think that you know more than me that we are all subject to what could happen in the next couple of days,” he said.
Vasseur finished by saying: “I trust them to take the best decision for all of us.”
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/yamaha-pulled-motogp-qatar-race-123000633.html
