Davide Tardozzi, team manager of Ducati, has come to the defense of Marc Márquez amid the uncertainties surrounding the upcoming MotoGP race at the Qatar Grand Prix. The tense situation in the region has led riders to demand security guarantees before traveling to this event.
As the 2026 season nears its end, MotoGP faces several significant challenges, with the trip to Qatar being one of the most concerning. Following the Malaysian Grand Prix, the Losail international circuit will host the event scheduled for the weekend of November 6-8, despite being the subject of much controversy due to the current political situation.
The conflict between the West and the Middle East has caused several sporting events in the area to be in doubt. Recently, the organizer of the Dakar announced that the 2027 edition will not be held in Saudi Arabia, raising concerns among MotoGP riders about their next destination.
Despite the concerns, MotoGP officials have reaffirmed their intention to travel to Losail. After the Indonesian Grand Prix, 75% of riders privately expressed their reluctance to participate, prompting an urgent meeting with organizers to demand guarantees regarding security during the event.
Among the riders, Márquez’s opinion is particularly relevant. His voice has been key in the discussion about the conditions for participating in Qatar, as he has maintained a critical stance toward the regulations imposed by the competition. Tardozzi emphasized that Márquez has not rejected the trip, but has requested safety conditions, including an evacuation plan.
According to Tardozzi, other riders have also expressed strong opinions, but have not had the courage to do so in front of the organizers. ‘Márquez has proven to be the most charismatic and brave on the track, and has voiced the concerns of all riders,’ he said.
In a subsequent statement, Tardozzi reaffirmed that, despite the circumstances that might suggest it would be better not to travel, if security conditions can be guaranteed, the race will take place. After all, confidence in the competition calendar depends on the decisions made by teams and organizers, and not just on the individual opinions of the riders.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
