The Qatar Grand Prix starting grid has been reduced to 16 riders following the withdrawal of Luca Marini, Motorsport reported on Sunday. The Italian rider's absence leaves a smaller field for the Losail International Circuit round of the 2026 MotoGP season.
Marini's withdrawal was confirmed on November 8, 2026, though the specific reason for his non-participation was not immediately detailed in the initial report. The reduced grid size marks a notable change for the Qatar round, which typically features a full complement of MotoGP entries.
The development comes as the championship approaches the latter stages of the 2026 season, with teams and riders managing physical demands across the calendar. Marini's absence will affect both the race dynamics and championship standings calculations for the event at Losail.
