MotoGP riders' Qatar stand draws Wolff criticism

Riders in the MotoGP World Championship took a joint stand against the race in Qatar, a rare move for the series, and Mercedes F1 team boss Toto Wolff has since commented on it. Wolff said that riders who speak out lack knowledge of the geopolitical situation, though he also said they gain media value from doing so. He added that he would have done the same as the MotoGP management and that those who do not want to race should not go.

The piece argues that the situation was more nuanced than Wolff suggested. Teams, rather than the series organiser, offered staff the choice not to attend, and the MotoGP Group reportedly threatened financial and sporting sanctions against Yamaha, the only manufacturer to refuse to travel to Qatar. Marc Marquez said riders felt they had contracts to honour.

The commentary also questions Wolff's suggestion that riders should limit themselves to talking about racing, likening his remarks to a parent telling a child they will understand when older.