Yamaha to face fine only for missing Qatar MotoGP

Yamaha will not receive a sporting penalty for skipping the Qatar Grand Prix, according to FIM president Jorge Viegas, who said the governing body's rules do not provide for one. The Japanese manufacturer will instead face a financial penalty imposed by the championship promoter, Dorna.

All four Yamaha riders, Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlioglu, were absent from the track. The only exception was the Moto2 team, which allowed Izan Guevara to continue his title battle with Manu Gonzalez. Viegas said Dorna's statement that sporting penalties could be imposed was incorrect.

Viegas explained that the only penalty provided for stems from the commercial contract between Dorna and the manufacturers, which requires two riders to be fielded at every race. The FIM is not a party to that contract, and Viegas acknowledged the rules may change in future.