Ducati’s Tardozzi Defends Marquez’s Qatar Safety Concerns Amid Paddock Divide

Davide Tardozzi has defended Marc Marquez amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding MotoGP’s upcoming visit to Qatar, where riders have requested safety guarantees from championship organizers.

As the 2026 season concludes, MotoGP faces multiple challenges, with few more pressing than the championship’s upcoming race at the Lusail International Circuit. Following this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix, the paddock will travel to Qatar for an event that has remained in doubt until the final moments.

The ongoing Middle East conflict, involving hostilities between the United States and Israel against Iran, has cast uncertainty over numerous sporting events in the region. ASO, organizer of the Dakar Rally, confirmed on Sunday that the 2027 edition will not take place in Saudi Arabia. Similarly, MotoGP’s Qatar Grand Prix, originally scheduled for earlier in the season, was postponed to the weekend of November 6-8.

As the race date approaches, championship officials have reiterated their commitment to proceeding with the Losail circuit event despite regional tensions. Liberty Media, owner of MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, maintains the same position regarding Formula 1, with the final two rounds of the 2026 season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi still scheduled to proceed.

The situation has naturally raised concerns among championship participants, including MotoGP riders. As reported by Motorsport.com, riders privately expressed their views on traveling to Qatar following the Indonesian Grand Prix, with approximately three-quarters of the grid opposing the trip. This led to meetings with championship officials at Phillip Island during the Australian Grand Prix weekend, where they requested safety assurances, with rider welfare as the top priority.

While several riders have voiced opposition to traveling to Qatar, particular attention has focused on Marc Marquez, the nine-time world champion and most influential rider in the premier class.

This interest has intensified following Marquez’s recent disagreements with the championship, including his decision not to participate in the exhibition karting race at Motegi and his opposition to planned 2027 race weekend format changes.

Davide Tardozzi, Team Manager of Lenovo Ducati

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / Getty Images

It was Marquez’s employer, Ducati team boss Tardozzi, who clarified the Spaniard’s position on the Qatar Grand Prix in Australia on Sunday. Marquez himself limited his comments on Thursday to stating: “On that subject, I’d prefer not to give my opinion for the time being.”

Speaking to Sky Sport, Tardozzi defended Marquez, emphasizing that the rider had not refused to travel to Qatar but had instead requested safety assurances from organizers. He also noted that many other riders had remained silent during official meetings with MotoGP officials, despite previously expressing opposition to the trip.

“When it comes to Marc, he is simply the most charismatic person in the paddock. Many riders express opinions outside of meetings that are just as strong, or even stronger, than Marc’s. But when they attend official meetings with organizers, they fall silent. That’s how things are, and it’s not a big deal,” Tardozzi said, speaking with unusual firmness.

“That said, all the blame is then placed on Marquez because he is the only one who speaks up for all the other riders. He is the one who has the courage to speak, even though other riders make much harsher comments than he does.”

“He has been smart enough to say: ‘Let’s try to find a middle ground and put forward scenarios that guarantee an evacuation plan, a plan B, and all the conditions needed for us to race safely.’ That is what he has requested.”

“But, I repeat, many other riders have said things that are much worse and then have not had the courage to repeat them in front of organizers. That bothers me.”

The interviewer then questioned Tardozzi about his apparent frustration.

“Because I have read that all the blame has been placed on Marc, as if he were the one who didn’t want to go to Qatar. That is not the case. Marc simply asked, as many other riders did, for an organizational safety plan – nothing more, nothing less. He did not say, ‘I don’t want to go’.”

“And I repeat, for the third time, that there have been riders who said they would not go but then did not say it again in front of the organizers.”

When asked again about Marquez’s comments from last Thursday, which could be interpreted as suggesting reluctance about racing in Qatar, Tardozzi reiterated his position.

“Of course, there are circumstances that could make you think it would be better not to go. But if the necessary safety conditions are in place, including an evacuation plan and guarantees that there will be no problems if something happens, then we will go.”

Uccio Salucci, head of the VR46 team, told Sky in a separate interview that while riders, mechanics, and technical staff are free to decide how they feel about traveling, the responsibility for whether an employee attends the event ultimately rests with teams and manufacturers.

Tardozzi concluded the discussion with his final assessment of the situation.

“Clearly, the team is the one that has a contract with the organizers. The riders, if you’ll allow me to put it this way, are salaried employees of the team. So, while the organizer quite rightly listens to the riders’ opinions, its relationship is with the team.”

“Clearly, when it comes to making decisions, the organizers must consult the teams.”

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