MotoGP confirms postponement of Qatar Grand Prix due to conflict in Middle East

MotoGP has rescheduled the Qatar Grand Prix
MotoGP has rescheduled the Qatar Grand PrixGIGI SOLDANO / STUDIO MILAGRO / DPPI VIA AFP

The Qatar Grand Prix scheduled for next month ⁠has been postponed to November due to the conflict in the Middle ‌East, MotoGP announced on Sunday.

The Lusail International Circuit was ‌set to host the fourth ‌round of the 2026 championship from April ‌10-12 but it has now been rescheduled ‌for November 8, organisers said in a statement.

The US-Israeli strikes on Iran have affected ‌countries throughout the Gulf, disrupting travel ⁠in some ‌of the world's busiest transit hubs and forcing ​several sporting events to be cancelled.

"MotoGP confirms that the Qatar Grand ​Prix, originally scheduled for April, has been postponed to November 8 due to the ⁠ongoing geopolitical ​situation in the Middle East," the statement said.

"Following extensive scenario planning and calendar analysis, the revised date has been chosen ‌to ensure minimal disruption to the wider MotoGP schedule."

The Portuguese Grand Prix will now take place on November 22 and the season finale in Valencia will move to November 29, organisers added.

Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi leads the championship after the first round in Thailand. The next two ‌races will be held in Brazil (March ​20-22) and the United States (March 27-29).

The conflict ‌has also affected Formula 1, with the sport announcing on Saturday races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia would not take place in April.

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