F1 reaffirms Qatar and Abu Dhabi plans after Yamaha MotoGP boycott

During the Mexico Grand Prix weekend, Formula 1 told its teams it still intended to end the season with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, despite Yamaha and its satellite team Pramac deciding to boycott MotoGP’s Qatar round. The update was intended to anticipate questions about Yamaha’s announcement; F1 said it saw no reason at that stage to change its plans.

At the time, F1’s Qatar Grand Prix was scheduled for 27–29 November, three weeks after MotoGP’s Qatar event, planned for 6–8 November. The message noted that MotoGP’s other manufacturers and the championship itself still planned to travel to Qatar.

F1 said travel advice and the insurance situation had not changed since May. Its communication to teams said safety came first, that it was monitoring developments including the US midterm elections, and that it would act if circumstances changed. Motorsport.com also reported that teams and drivers were being asked not to speak too critically, to trust F1 and the FIA, and to maintain the public stance they had taken in recent weeks.

F1 also had an Imola contingency if the Middle East security situation deteriorated. Organisers there had received the go-ahead more than six weeks before the Mexico weekend to prepare temporary grandstands; F1 committed to cover the preparation costs if the alternative was not needed.