Yamaha will not face sporting sanctions for their decision to skip the Qatar Grand Prix over safety concerns.
The Japanese manufacturer pulled out of the race in Lusail due to the war in the Middle East, meaning all four of their riders across the factory and satellite squads did not take part.
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MotoGP quickly followed up with a statement of their own, warning: “Yamaha’s non-participation also carries sporting implications,” while reports claimed that could be exclusion from the final two rounds in Portugal and Valencia.
However, the president of the sport’s governing body, the FIM, said this claim was incorrect.
FIM president contradicts MotoGP organisers over Yamaha sanctions
Jorge Viegas told AS: “Dorna’s press release, not the FIM’s, was incorrect because it stated that sporting sanctions could be imposed, which is not the case.
“We don’t have any sanctions from the FIM, and a rider who doesn’t attend a race isn’t subject to sporting sanctions at this time.
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“Perhaps we will change the rules in the future, but as of today, we don’t have them.”
He added: “The only existing sanction stems from the contract between Dorna and the manufacturers. Therefore, manufacturers and teams are obligated to have two riders available for each race.
“If they are unavailable, they must provide a substitute rider. But this is a commercial contract.
“The FIM is not a party to this contract, and our disciplinary code contains no provision for penalties related to a rider’s absence.”
“Perhaps we will change the rules in the future, but as of today, we don’t have them.”
Yamaha still faces financial consequences for Qatar withdrawal
Yet despite the let-off, Yamaha will have to pay a penalty fee to Dorna, which will be distributed among the other teams. The amount is not yet known.
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Many expected other teams to follow Yamaha’s lead and withdraw, with various reliable reports claiming 19 of the 22 rider grid were against the race in Qatar.
However, that did not come to pass, and Yamaha’s factory team are now a distant 10th in the teams’ standings (108 points), ahead of only their satellite team Pramac (49 points).
The constructors’ standings are similarly bleak, with Yamaha fifth and last on 105 points, 85 from fourth-placed Honda.
Of their four riders, only Toprak Razgatlioglu will be with the team next year, as he stays with Pramac.
Fabio Quartararo will be leaving for Honda, while Jack Miller heads to WorldSBK.
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Miller himself was particularly vocal about the Qatar race ahead of pulling out of the event.
Jack Miller explains riders’ fears over racing in Qatar
He said: “I don’t want to go. Nobody does. There are 19 or 20 of us who are pretty adamant about it. We don’t want to go.
“As riders, we’ve done the best we can, threatened with what ammunition we have. Nobody wants to go. I don’t understand why we need to [go]. I don’t understand.
“You know, we’re not hiding the fact that we’re racing at, let’s say 10:55. We’re not hiding our location and time.
“We are a global event. If [a bad actor] does want to make an example out of us, they will know where to find us…”
Pramac’s Miller was very vocal against the race (Credit: Red Bull Content Pool)
Pramac’s Miller was very vocal against the race (Credit: Red Bull Content Pool)
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He added: “The biggest thing for us is liability. Someone has to be liable. If you want us – if you want the paddock to go there, put your name on it.
“Do you believe that it’s safe for us to be there, put your name on it. That’s not unreasonable to ask for such an event.
“They can attack us both financially and on the sporting side with our licenses. Same goes for the teams.
“Do I want to hurt my team? No. But at the same time, I don’t feel like pushing the horse to race.
“Everybody keeps asking me what the f*** we’re doing. It’s not up to us. We’re just a number in this game, unfortunately.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
