Yamaha withdraws from Qatar Grand Prix, Marc Marquez gets title chance
NXTbets Pro | Published On: November 5, 2026
Marc Marquez title push
Marc Marquez gets his first chance to clinch an eighth MotoGP world title at the Qatar Grand Prix. He arrives in Qatar with a 44-point lead over Jorge Martin and a 67-point lead over Marco Bezzecchi. That margin means he can secure the championship early if he outscores Martin by 30 points and Bezzecchi by eight across the weekend. If Marquez does not finish at least fifth in the sprint, he cannot seal the title on Sunday.
Marquez says he plans to attack from Friday practice and try to finish both races. The weekend now becomes the stage for his first chance to clinch the championship.
The weekend carries extra weight because the fight could continue past Qatar if Marquez does not meet the sprint condition. That leaves Marquez with a simple goal when the lights go out in Qatar.
Jorge Martin recovery outlook
Jorge Martin enters the Qatar Grand Prix under a medical watch that will shape whether he can take part in the weekend. He is set to wait until Friday for a medical review before he can try to return to MotoGP action. Martin fractured his right radius in a sprint crash at Phillip Island, and the injury has made the championship chase more complicated. He said the fractured right wrist improved from about 20% in Malaysia to about 50% ahead of Qatar, but the bone is still broken.
Martin said he needs at least eight points in Qatar to keep the title fight alive until Portimao. That goal matters because Marquez already owns the points edge and can take another step toward the crown if Martin cannot race at full speed. Every lap would matter if the medical check clears him to ride.
Martin is still fighting to return from a broken bone while trying to stay close enough in the standings to force the fight deeper into the season. His condition has improved, but the bone is still broken. If he clears Friday’s medical review, he will still have to score enough to keep the championship alive.
Yamaha withdrawal fallout
Yamaha’s withdrawal from the Qatar Grand Prix has changed the grid before a wheel has turned in anger. The decision leaves Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Jack Miller and Augusto Fernandez off the entry list for the weekend. With Yamaha out, the field loses four names.
Alex Marquez will miss the weekend after shoulder surgery, and Iker Lecuona will replace him. Fermin Aldeguer has been cleared to race after injuries suffered at Mandalika, and Raul Fernandez has also been cleared to return.
The championship fight remains the main event as the lineup changes continue around it.
