Yamaha will miss this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix because of company-wide travel restrictions, becoming the first MotoGP team since Forward Racing in 2015 to sit out an entire round for reasons other than rider injury or unavailability.
The Japanese manufacturer announced its withdrawal on Sunday after the Malaysian Grand Prix, saying its latest assessment of the situation in the Middle East had not provided sufficient grounds to lift those restrictions.
The decision rules out factory riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins from the November 6-8 event at Lusail as Yamaha plan to return at the Portuguese Grand Prix later this month.
MotoGP expressed disappointment with the withdrawal and said the race would proceed, citing consultations with Qatari authorities, Lusail International Circuit and independent safety advisers.
“We do not believe this decision reflects the extensive assurances provided to all championship stakeholders,” MotoGP said.
The championship added the rest of the grid had confirmed their participation and also warned that Yamaha’s absence carried contractual and sporting implications, with any sporting consequences to be determined by the FIM under its regulations.
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Qatar was originally scheduled to host its Grand Prix in April before the regional conflict forced its postponement.
An entire team missing a weekend is unusual in the modern MotoGP era since 2002, but financial and operational problems have caused several previous absences.
Forward Racing skipped the 2015 Indianapolis Grand Prix after the arrest of team owner Giovanni Cuzari disrupted its funding and sponsor arrangements.
The team returned at the following round in Brno, where Loris Baz finished 15th.
Ilmor’s absence proved longer, as the British-based manufacturer withdrew after the opening round of the 2007 season in Qatar because of a lack of sponsorship and never returned to race in MotoGP.
Team Roberts also missed six rounds in 2005 amid problems with KTM’s engine supply and support, but Kenny Roberts’ outfit returned for the Valencia finale with Kurtis Roberts riding their older Proton V5 machine.
Yamaha’s withdrawal comes as the championship heads into its final three rounds, with Marc Marquez leading Jorge Martin by 44 points after winning Sunday’s race at Sepang.
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