Middle East
Motorcycle and scooter news from and about Middle East, aggregated from independent publishers.
F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Full starting grid after three penalties
The full starting grid for the 2026 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
MotoGP 2027 calendar revealed with Buenos Aires and Adelaide joining the schedule
The 2027 MotoGP calendar has been officially released, with Buenos Aires and Adelaide joining the schedule, Qatar moving up to the second round and five double-headers plus one triple-header. Next year's schedule features several new additions and the most international schedule in the history of the MotoGP, with 22 rounds spread across 19 countries.
Despite The Iran War, Dakar Organizers Say the 2027 Event Will Take Place. Should It?
If you've just come back from space, now's a good time to know that things have been kicking off in the Middle East this year with the US/Israel war against Iran. But as of September 8, strikes on Abha, Najran and Jazan in Saudi Arabia, where the Dakar takes place, sparked rumors that the 2027 Dakar might be cancelled.
Grant Davis Wins John Penton GNCC in GNCC Racing's Return After Summer Break
The Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series was back in action over the weekend after summer break. Returning to action for the first time since the Snowshoe GNCC at the end of June, the series welcomed back the motorcycle riders on Sunday...with some rainy and muddy conditions!
Is Dakar 2027 cancelled? Not as it stands, but Saudi situation is worsening
Dakar 2027 has not been cancelled, despite a worsening security situation in Saudi Arabia and growing uncertainty over international motorsport events in the country. The event's organiser, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), confirmed that rumours of a cancellation were unfounded and that preparations for Dakar 2027 were continuing as planned.
MotoGP: Preview Of The Qatar Airways Grand Prix Of Austria
Hot headlines all level as MotoGP readies for Spielberg thriller in Austria. 14 down, 8 to go and it’s neck-and-neck at the top: a blockbuster awaits as the Styrian mountains […] The post MotoGP: Preview Of The Qatar Airways Grand Prix Of Austria appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.
Ruben Fernandez to Miss Final Two MXGP Rounds After Heavy Crash in Turkey
Ruben Fernandez will not compete in the final two rounds of the 2026 MXGP season. The Spaniard will miss the Grands Prix of China and Australia as a result of the heavy crash he suffered during the MXGP of Turkey. Fernandez crashed heavily last weekend in Afyonkarahisar.
Max Verstappen beats Lewis Hamilton for first non Mercedes-powered pole of F1 2026 at Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Max Verstappen takes pole at the Bahrain Grand Prix ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
The Pirelli test row shows why MotoGP riders need a stronger voice
There are still eight races remaining in the 2026 season, with uncertainty surrounding the Qatar round, but much of the MotoGP grid is already looking ahead to next year. That is hardly surprising, not only because several riders will change teams and take their careers in new directions, but also because 2027 will bring one of the biggest technical revolutions in MotoGP history.
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia: Full qualifying results
Full qualifying results from the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
MotoGP boss: The idea is to hold the Qatar GP as planned in November
MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta says the “idea is to go” to Qatar for the Grand Prix scheduled for 8 November, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The conflict in the region has put several motorsport events in the Middle East at risk this year, with the Formula 1 race in Saudi Arabia cancelled and the Bahrian Grand Prix moved to Malaysia.
F1 fans blast Bahrain GP in Malaysia organisers after transport chaos
Formula 1 fans have hit out at Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia organisers after experiencing transport chaos following Friday practice. Spectators attending F1’s return to Malaysia on Friday were faced with severe traffic congestion, poor crowd management and huge waits for shuttle buses.
Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia: Full final practice results
Kimi Antonelli set the fastest lap time ahead of Qualifying in Free Practice 3 on Saturday at the Sepang International Circuit. On Friday, it was Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc who topped the Practice sessions, but after a night of hard work, Mercedes and Antonelli set the pace after the qualifying practice runs.
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia LIVE: FP3 and qualifying updates
There are five minutes to go until Free Practice 3 gets underway... We are now 15 minutes away from the final Free Practice session of the weekend ahead of Qualifying. It is currently dry at the Sepang International Circuit, so after the threat of rain in FP2, it appears all three Practice sessions will be dry.
The biggest challenge facing F1 teams at Bahrain GP in Malaysia
High tyre degradation is set to add further jeopardy into the mix for Formula 1 teams already heading into the unknown at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. F1 has returned to the iconic Sepang track for the first time in nine years as Malaysia hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend on behalf of the Gulf kingdom as a result of the war in the Middle East meaning it could not be held in its usual location at Sakhir.
Lewis Hamilton warned over Bahrain GP incident as Ferrari hit with fine
Lewis Hamilton has received a warning and Ferrari has been fined €10,000 (£8,500) for impeding Gabriel Bortoleto during second practice at Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Seven-time world champion Hamilton was found to have “unnecessarily impeded” Bortoleto under braking at Turn 9 at Sepang in the second hour of practice running on Friday, forcing the Audi driver to take evasive action.
George Russell gives first verdict on Mercedes’ big F1 upgrade after Bahrain GP debut
George Russell has given his initial thoughts on Mercedes’ major upgrade package after debuting it during Friday practice at Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Mercedes has brought its first substantial car upgrade since the Canadian Grand Prix at the end of May to Sepang, which is hosting this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix as a result of the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Max Verstappen explains unusual tyre strategy in Bahrain GP practice
Max Verstappen and F1 returned to the Sepang International Circuit for the first time since his race win at the circuit in 2017. This time, it is for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The Dutch driver found instant success as he topped the timesheets in Free Practice 1 for Red Bull.
Charles Leclerc fastest with Mercedes off the pace in Bahrain GP in Malaysia FP2
Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets for Ferrari during second practice at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on Formula 1’s return to Sepang. Leclerc edged Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar to the fastest time by just 0.099 seconds in an extremely tight second hour of practice running at the Sepang track, which is making its first appearance on the F1 calendar in nine years.
Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia: Full Friday practice results
Ferrari and Charles Leclerc led Friday outright after topping FP2 at the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The second session of F1's first visit to Sepang since 2017 ran under threat from a heavy rain shower, though FP2 ultimately ran in completely dry conditions.
Mercedes’ ‘ominous’ major F1 car upgrade at Bahrain GP explained
Mercedes has brought a raft of upgrades to its 2026 F1 car at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
Max Verstappen sets the early pace in F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
The last F1 race at the Sepang International Circuit was won by Max Verstappen, and the Dutch driver returned to the top of the timesheets in Malaysia as he topped FP1 at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Verstappen spent the entirety of the opening session on soft tyres, when compared to the majority of his rivals, who spent a lot of time on medium tyres.
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia LIVE: Friday practice updates
Live practice updates from Friday at the 2026 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
How to watch F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia for free on Apple TV
Apple TV will stream the entire Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia weekend free of charge for Formula 1 fans in the United States. Fans based in the US will not require a paid subscription, or have to sign up for the usual seven-day free trial, in order to catch all of the action across the 2-4 October weekend at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
Max Verstappen dodges boycott questions over F1’s Middle East races
Max Verstappen swerved answering whether he would consider boycotting races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi if Formula 1 decides to finish the season in the Middle East as planned. F1’s 2026 season is due to conclude with a double-header in Qatar and Abu Dhabi but huge uncertainty remains over whether the races will be able to go ahead due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Is it going to rain at the F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia? Full weather forecast
What's the weather going to do at the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia this weekend?
Bahrain GP in Malaysia declared ‘heat hazard’ F1 race: What does it mean and what happens next?
This weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia has been declared a 'heat hazard' F1 race.
F1 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia: Start time and TV schedule
All the information on the schedule of the 2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
How to watch the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
The 16th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season is the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
Max Verstappen counters Lewis Hamilton’s stance on F1’s Middle East races
Max Verstappen has taken a different stance to Lewis Hamilton on Formula 1 racing in the Middle East this year, noting “we shouldn’t go” due to the ongoing Iran war. The Gulf region was plunged into chaos in February when the USA and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran.
Why the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix is being held in Malaysia
F1 will race in Malaysia again this year, but with a bizarre naming twist.
F1 sets decision deadline for Middle East rounds as Lewis Hamilton backs racing in region
Formula 1 has outlined a mid-October deadline for a decision on whether or not the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds will go ahead amid the ongoing war in the region. The war between the US and Iran that broke out in February has played havoc with world motorsport calendars.
Lewis Hamilton’s surprising stance on F1’s Middle East races
Lewis Hamilton has an unexpected stance on F1 ending the 2026 season in the Middle East.
What’s really behind F1’s delay in cancelling Middle East races
The delay behind Formula 1 cancelling races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi is directly linked to money concerns. Uncertainty over the conclusion of the 2026 F1 season has been caused due to the ongoing war between the United States, Israel and Iran in the Middle East.
MotoGP still “willing to go” to Qatar as crunch calendar decision looms
MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta says the series is still “willing to go” to Qatar in November, despite the Iran conflict escalating in the region again. The US war with Iran that began in February has caused major disruption to the motorsport calendar. MotoGP was due to host the Qatar Grand Prix in April, but postponed it to the weekend of 6-8 November because of the conflict, while also pushing back the final two rounds to accommodate this new date.