MotoGP has postponed the Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail to November 8 due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix, scheduled to take place at Lusail International Circuit next month, has been postponed to November due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, organisers said on Sunday.
The race, originally set for April 10 to 12 in Doha as the fourth round of the 2026 championship, will now be held on November 8 following a review of the racing calendar and the regional security situation amid U.S.-Israel’s war on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory attacks across the Gulf.
MotoGP said the new date was chosen after extensive planning to minimise disruption to the season schedule.
The change will also shift other races on the calendar. The Portuguese Grand Prix is now expected to take place on November 22, while the season finale in Valencia has been moved to November 29.
Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi currently leads the championship standings after the opening round in Thailand. The next races in the 2026 season are scheduled to take place in Brazil from March 20 to 22 and in the United States from March 27 to 29.
The postponement comes as other motorsport events in the region have also been affected by the escalating conflict.
Earlier on Sunday, Formula One confirmed that its April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia would not go ahead due to security concerns linked to the war involving Iran.
Formula One had been due to race in Bahrain on April 12 and in the Saudi city of Jeddah on April 19.
Organisers said the decision was taken after considering the safety of teams, staff and fans amid the current regional situation.
