Marini, Bagnaia withdrew from Qatar Grand Prix
NXTbets Pro | Published On: November 8, 2026
Marini withdrew
Marini withdrew from the Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail on Saturday after persistent fatigue left him unable to continue, a setback that came after a viral infection last month. Honda said the move was made with the bigger picture in mind, giving Marini time to recover for the final two rounds of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship. The Italian had already taken part in the sprint, where he finished 13th, before the team pulled him from the full race weekend. Marini later said he had no strength and was struggling to complete the race. His withdrawal also changed the shape of the field at Lusail, trimming the Qatar Grand Prix grid to 16 riders and adding to a weekend that kept getting tighter for teams trying to manage both performance and rider health.
Bagnaia withdrew
Bagnaia also stepped out of the Qatar Grand Prix, leaving another major name on the sidelines at Lusail. His withdrawal came because of a fractured foot, and he is scheduled to have surgery on two metatarsal fractures in his right foot on Monday or Tuesday. That injury put his race weekend on hold before the main event. Bagnaia’s situation shifted the focus from lap times to treatment and recovery, with surgery now the next step. At Lusail, the priority moved from chasing points to protecting the rider’s foot.
Grid pressure
The rider list at Lusail was already under pressure before the race began. Yamaha was absent from the round with its full team, Honda was without Joan Mir and Jake Dixon was brought in as Honda’s only rider at the circuit. Maverick Vinales was also a doubt for Tech3 KTM because of ongoing shoulder pain, and more withdrawals were still possible before the race. That left the Qatar Grand Prix with a field that could keep shrinking, and the stakes rose with every change. If the grid drops to 15 starters, every finisher scores a point. That rule could matter in the title fight, because it would keep Jorge Martin’s hopes alive if he finishes 15th and Marc Marquez wins. The possibility gave the final lineup extra weight, since one more scratch could change how the race is scored for everyone still on track. Lusail already reflected the strain of a long MotoGP season, with injuries, fatigue and team absences reshaping the grid before the lights even went out.
