MotoGP Qatar schedule changed as teams delay arrival amid safety concerns
The Qatar race has hit another problem (Credit: Red Bull Content Pool)
Updated:
0 Comments
Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
The Qatar Grand Prix schedule has already been amended amid safety concerns around the race in the Middle East.
Yamaha have already pulled all four of their factory and satellite riders out of the event, and various media and journalists won’t be travelling to Lusail.
Nevertheless, the race looks set to go ahead, with Ducati, Aprilia, KTM and Honda heading to Qatar on Thursday.
However, due to teams leaving their arrival until the last moment, Thursday’s media activities have been moved back.
ADVERTISEMENT
MotoGP Qatar Thursday press conference moved to later time
MotoGP holds a Thursday press conference with three selected riders and it is scheduled at a fixed 16:00 local time at all events except those in the Americas.
Yet the Qatar session has been moved to 20:00 local time to mitigate late arrivals.
During the main press conference, the riders not selected speak to the broadcasters in the mixed zone, while others hold sessions with the written media.
Major broadcasters opt against travelling to Qatar Grand Prix
ADVERTISEMENT
Most of those sessions will be cancelled as numerous broadcasters have decided to work remotely away from Losail.
UK broadcasters TNT and Sky in Italy and Germany won’t be travelling, with DAZN set to be the only partner on the ground.
The remainder of the weekend looks set to go ahead as normal despite a lack of riders.
Read also
Qatar Grand Prix set to proceed despite reduced rider grid
ADVERTISEMENT
The grid could be as small as 15 bikes with injuries on top of Yamaha’s withdrawal.
The Japanese brand will be leaving factory riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins at home, as well as satellite Pramac duo Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlioglu.
Gresini’s Alex Marquez won’t be taking part after shoulder surgery, while Raul Fernandez is a doubt with a broken finger.
Championship contender Jorge Martin pulled out of the last race in Malaysia with an ongoing broken wrist problem, and will try again to keep his hopes alive in Qatar.
Fermin Aldeguer will race for Gresini after recovering from a broken hand, while Honda have moved to replace Joan Mir.
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on Google
