MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta says it will be difficult to hold the Qatar Grand Prix scheduled for 12 April. Despite the uncertainty around the event, MotoGP has no plans to move the race to another circuit. Ezpeleta confirmed the championship would simply continue with the next scheduled round if Qatar cannot take place.
Marc Marquez has been nominated for the 2026 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award after his 2025 MotoGP title comeback. The Spaniard joins a shortlist including Carlos Alcaraz, Mondo Duplantis, Ousmane Dembele, Tadej Pogacar and Jannik Sinner. Marquez said the nomination still gives him the same “buzz” as his first recognition 12 years ago
Francesco Bagnaia said he is “not that worried” after a difficult start to the 2026 MotoGP season in Thailand. The Ducati rider qualified 13th and finished ninth after struggling with rear tyre control and race pace. Despite the result, Bagnaia believes the weekend provides a starting point and says the team must improve performance in upcoming races.
Yamaha stopped its MotoGP riders from speaking to the press following a difficult Thailand Grand Prix. Instead, senior management addressed reporters after all four bikes finished outside the top positions. The team admitted it faces a major development gap with the new V4 project and warned progress will take time.
Joan Mir was running strongly inside the top six at Buriram before retiring with a rear tyre issue late in the race. The Honda rider had shown competitive pace throughout the weekend, making his retirement another dramatic twist in a Grand Prix already filled with incidents and technical problems.
Aprilia’s victory in Thailand ended Ducati’s long-standing podium streak, which had lasted since the 2021 British Grand Prix. Marc Marquez was forced to retire late with a puncture, and Ducati riders were unable to return to the top three, marking an unusual low for the Italian brand at the season opener.
Diogo Moreira finished 13th in his first MotoGP Grand Prix, gaining places from 15th on the grid to score points for LCR Honda in Thailand. The rookie said he learned a lot despite tyre drop late in the race. He now looks ahead to his home round in Brazil, aiming to build on the progress.
Marc Marquez described his Thai Grand Prix rear puncture as “super strange” and said it was close to causing a major crash. The Ducati rider damaged the rim after jumping a double kerb, leading to tyre failure and retirement. Despite scoring only sprint points, he remained satisfied with overall pace and said a podium had been realistic.
Jorge Martin finished fourth in the Thailand Grand Prix, marking a solid start with Aprilia after limited pre-season running following surgery. The 2024 champion fought early with Marc Marquez and later defended against Pedro Acosta before dropping back in the closing laps. With little testing mileage, the result puts him immediately near the front group.
Toprak Razgatlioglu completed his first full MotoGP grand prix at Buriram but did not score points. The Pramac Yamaha rookie struggled for pace and grip across race distance, circulating behind teammate Jack Miller. After earlier sprint problems, he managed a clean Sunday run and reached the finish, continuing adaptation to the bike and Michelin tyres.