Middle East Conflict Intensifies: Will MotoGP Qatar 2026 Still Go Ahead?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The MotoGP Qatar 2026 race, scheduled to take place from 12-14 April, cannot yet be confirmed as going ahead. The escalating conflict in the Middle East has prompted organisers MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (MotoGP SEG) to consider various possibilities, including a postponement. The situation was triggered by a joint US and Israeli strike on Iran at the end of February, which prompted retaliation across several regions. MotoGP SEG CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta acknowledged that the race at Losail International Circuit in Qatar could be affected. However, there has been no official decision to date. ‘Is it possible to return on another date? Do not worry. We always have a Plan B,’ Ezpeleta told Crash on Thursday (5/3/2026). He stressed that communications with Qatari authorities are ongoing, while monitoring developments in the conflict area. Previously, the impact of the conflict had already been felt by the World Endurance Championship (WEC). The season-opening round, which was due to be held in Qatar on 28 March, was officially moved to another date. Nevertheless, Ezpeleta asserted that MotoGP would not seek a substitute venue if the Qatar MotoGP round cannot be held on schedule. ‘Going somewhere else? Absolutely not. Could it be slotted back into the calendar? We are very skilled at scheduling. We will know soon. We are still waiting for news from them. There is time yet,’ he said. MotoGP 2026 has just begun the season in Thailand, last weekend. The second and third rounds will be held in Brazil and the United States at the end of March 2026. Not only MotoGP, Formula 1 is also scheduled to run two races in the Middle East in mid-April, namely the Bahrain GP and the Saudi Arabian GP. However, both are now being closely monitored due to security in the region. Meanwhile, the opening F1 round in Australia this weekend is confirmed to go ahead as teams use charter flights to counter travel disruptions.