MotoGP riders demand insurance guarantees ahead of Qatar race

Most MotoGP riders have sent a letter to championship promoter MGPSEG demanding that the series itself take responsibility for the insurance cover and guarantees needed to travel to Qatar. The document, signed by three-quarters of the grid, was submitted during last week's Australian Grand Prix and lists five conditions, including an evacuation plan for all paddock personnel and life, repatriation and medical insurance.

The dispute centres on who must assume responsibility for these guarantees. MGPSEG says the Qatari government has provided them, while riders want the championship organisers themselves to accept responsibility. The riders met on Friday afternoon in Yamaha's communications department offices and agreed to draft another letter.

“F1 sees no reason to change its own plans at this stage, emphasising that neither the travel advice nor the insurance situation has changed since May.”

Yamaha and its satellite team Pramac have decided to boycott the Qatar Grand Prix, scheduled for 6-8 November at the Lusail International Circuit. MotoGP has responded with a statement threatening contractual and sporting sanctions. Alex Marquez will also miss the race because of surgery scheduled after his heavy crash at the Catalan Grand Prix in May.

MotoGP deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta travelled to Qatar on Thursday to discuss safety guarantees with local authorities. The championship maintains that the race weekend will go ahead as planned and insists all required guarantees have been provided by the Qatari government.

Formula 1 still plans to hold its final two grands prix in the Middle East, with Qatar on 27-29 November and Abu Dhabi on 4-6 December. F1 says its plans remain unchanged because neither travel advice nor the insurance situation has changed since May.

Insurance experts consulted by AFP estimate that each grand prix could involve financial commitments of between 50 and 100 million dollars. They warn that cancellation would harm Gulf states using the events for economic and diplomatic projection, while proceeding without sufficient safety conditions could have even greater consequences.