Valentino Rossi's VR46 team confirms Qatar GP absence over safety fears
Rossi's team have been vocal around the issue of Qatar (Credit: Apex Agency)
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.
VR46 Racing manager Alessio ‘Uccio’ Salucci has revealed that one of his team members won’t be travelling to the Qatar Grand Prix.
The race in Lusail in a week’s time has been surrounded by controversy, with media reports that riders have held multiple meetings over whether they should take part.
Qatar is close to Iran, where the United States are preparing more strikes after the mid-term elections on November 3.
Last weekend at the Australian Grand Prix, The Race reported that the riders held a meeting where two-thirds voted against going to Qatar.
Now multiple reports have emerged about another meeting at this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix where riders have demanded written guarantees from the race organisers.
ADVERTISEMENT
Valentino Rossi's team boss raises serious Qatar GP safety concerns
Few have spoken about the issue publicly, but ‘Uccio’ has been one of them, saying he won’t force his riders or team members to travel.
Now, in conversation with GPOne, he’s revealed that one member has already said they won’t be joining.
“There are things that go beyond sport, beyond work, beyond everything,” Valentino Rossi’s close friend and colleague said. “I already know that someone will be missing.
“If we want to pretend nothing is happening, then we can pretend nothing is happening, but it isn’t a safe situation.
ADVERTISEMENT
“There is more to life than just work, more than just sport.”
The team named after MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi is powered by Ducati, whose factory team have been at the centre of debate around the Qatar Grand Prix.
“There is more to life than just work, more than just sport.”- Alessio ‘Uccio’ Salucci
Marc Marquez and Ducati caught in Qatar Grand Prix debate
ADVERTISEMENT
Rossi’s former rival and by far the biggest name on the grid, Marc Marquez, has so far been quiet on the matter.
Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi launched a strong defence of his position in Australia, saying that other riders have been critical, but then don’t speak out in meetings with the organisers, unlike Marquez.
The issue was again raised in Thursday’s press conference sessions when Marquez again kept quiet.
Asked about racing in Qatar, he responded: “We cannot say nothing [anything].”
Read also
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