Ezpeleta says Yamaha penalty for Qatar absence still undecided

MotoGP chief Carlos Ezpeleta has given an update on Yamaha, which withdrew from the Qatar Grand Prix over its internal travel policy regarding the Middle East. The Japanese manufacturer was absent from the event, reducing the grid to 18 starters before injuries dropped it to 16.

Yamaha is expected to face punishment, but it is not yet clear what this will be. Ezpeleta said MotoGP Group's relationship with Yamaha is purely commercial and that the company would talk to Yamaha before any decision is communicated. Any sporting sanction, including the race bans that were threatened, would be handled by the FIM, which has not said what penalties, if any, could apply.

Ezpeleta also addressed the standoff over Qatar, in which 19 of the 22 competitors signed a letter stating they did not want to race. He said the noise created around the event had been unnecessary and that this would need to be corrected, without giving details.