MotoGP responds to Yamaha’s Qatar GP withdrawal

MotoGP has warned against possible “sporting consequences” for Yamaha after the Japanese manufacturer announced it has withdrawn from next week’s Qatar Grand Prix. Yamaha sent major shockwaves down the paddock at Sepang on Sunday, as it informed MotoGP about its decision to skip the Losail race on 6-8 November. The Yamaha Motor Company has invoked a clause in its employee contracts that gives it the authority to prevent staff from travelling to war-affected regions. In a statement, it stated that it has not “identified sufficient grounds to change its existing company-wide travel restrictions” after assessing the situation.