Toto Wolff has criticized MotoGP riders for publicly opposing the decision to race in Qatar amid growing concerns linked to the ongoing US-Iran tensions. The Mercedes boss has backed F1 and the FIA’s approach to assessing the situation, arguing that decisions should be guided by international travel advisories, government recommendations and the relevant authorities.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix about the situation, Wolff said: “Stefano [Domenicali] and Mohammed [Ben Sulayem] have been pretty clear about the situation, that Formula 1 follows what the international guidelines are, whether there are travel restrictions, airlines not flying, any warnings in the region, the kind of feedback that local governments are making.”
Toto Wolff explained that the championship should rely on official assessments rather than allowing individual opinions to determine whether an event should go ahead.
“So not only the promoters, but what the local governments are making, and this is what you need to rely on in my opinion,” Wolff said.
“And I’m fully with that. I think that if riders stand up, who geopolitically know nothing about what’s going on, but have the audience that listens, I think that is something that creates media value.
The 2026 F1 calendar is scheduled to race in Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi on December 6, with Imola kept on standby as a backup plan if things go south.
Majority of MotoGP Drivers Were Against Racing in Qatar
A total of 19 of the 22 MotoGP riders reportedly signed a letter expressing their concerns about competing in the Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit this weekend because of the regional conflict.
Their opposition has brought the safety of motorsport events in the Middle East under the spotlight, particularly with F1 also preparing to race in the region.
Marco Bezzecchi, Johann Zarco, and Ai Ogura are the only three riders who initially declined to sign the protest letter.
In a dramatic series of events, Yamaha decided to pull its four factory and satellite riders out of the Qatar GP because the event violated the company’s internal travel policy for the Middle East.
Toto Wolff Won’t Force Mercedes Personnel To Travel to the Middle East
While the Austrian has backed the FIA’s approach to the situation, he also made it clear that he would not force anyone within Mercedes to travel to Qatar and Abu Dhabi if they felt concerned about their safety.
Toto Wolff revealed that nobody within the team had raised concerns about travelling to the region so far. However, he would respect any employee who decided against making the trip.
“Internally, it hasn’t been raised, hasn’t been a topic, but also there, if someone doesn’t feel comfortable, he or she doesn’t feel comfortable travelling, then that’s something that I would always respect, and maybe that’s another opportunity to give somebody else a chance,” Toto Wolff said.
“It wouldn’t change anything for the relationship. I’ve always respected that some people didn’t want to go to certain Grand Prix, and that’s how I see it at the moment.”
However, the FIA’s decision about the scheduled season-ending Middle East race is expected in the coming days, with November 10 being the expected deadline.
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