VR46 Staff May Skip Qatar Grand Prix
Some VR46 team employees will stay home from the Qatar Grand Prix in Lusail amid a Middle East conflict.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Middle East
Live Poll
Should major sporting events still go ahead in regions facing serious security risks?
VR46 team manager Uccio Salucci says some team employees will not travel to the Qatar Grand Prix, which MotoGP still plans to race in Lusail next week despite the Middle East conflict. Many countries have updated travel advice for Qatar to warn against non-essential travel.
Why it matters
The race is proceeding as scheduled while an ongoing regional conflict has prompted travel warnings, leaving teams to decide individually whether to attend. MotoGP has reminded teams that they will be fined if they do not attend the 20th round.
The Qatar Grand Prix is the 20th round of the 2026 MotoGP season, and the team-level number of employees staying home has not been disclosed. Yamaha, Honda, Ducati, KTM and Aprilia have not publicly commented on their attendance plans.
The players
Uccio Salucci
Team manager of VR46, the Valentino Rossi-linked MotoGP team, who has publicly addressed staff attendance at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Carlos Ezpeleta
Deputy CEO of MotoGP who visited the Lusail International Circuit ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.
The details
VR46 will send an official email to riders and the team stating that participation is up to each individual. MotoGP deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta visited the Lusail International Circuit as the event approaches.
Timeline
Oct. 31, 2026: VR46 manager Uccio Salucci comments at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang.
Early November 2026: MotoGP grid scheduled to arrive in Lusail for the Qatar Grand Prix.
Season Trajectory
The decision to hold the Qatar Grand Prix despite regional tensions echoes the 2011 cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix amid unrest in the Gulf. The split between a scheduled race and selective team attendance tests MotoGP's approach to events in the region.
Travelers considering Qatar should review current government travel advisories, as many countries have warned against non-essential travel to the country. Race attendance by teams and staff is being decided individually, so plans for fans and visitors may shift before the event.
The takeaway
Monitor official travel advisories and MotoGP announcements before committing to travel to Qatar for the Grand Prix, as team and staff plans are still being finalized.
What happens next
The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled to be held in Lusail in early November 2026, with the MotoGP grid arriving next week.
Further reading
Explore more Middle East travel coverage for context on the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MotoGP News.
Live Poll
Should major sporting events still go ahead in regions facing serious security risks?
