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# Marini out as Qatar grid is reduced to 16 riders
- URL: https://www.the-race.com/motogp/marini-out-as-motogp-grid-is-reduced-to-16-riders/
- Published: 2026-11-08T13:40:26.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-08T13:42:15.000Z
- Description: Honda MotoGP rider Luca Marini has withdrawn from the main Qatar Grand Prix race, reducing the field to 16 participants
- Author: Valentin Khorounzhiy
- Tags: MotoGP, #luca-marini, #honda, #qatar-grand-prix, #secondary_feature_3

Honda MotoGP rider Luca Marini has withdrawn from the main Qatar Grand Prix race, reducing the field to 16 participants.  
  
Twenty-two full-time riders are entered in the series - but Yamaha is absent in full from the Qatar weekend due to the geopolitical situation, and Pecco Bagnaia was ruled out of the weekend after fracturing his foot in the sprint.  
  
Bagnaia will undergo surgery on a pair of metatarsal fractures in his right foot on Monday or Tuesday.  
  
Now, Marini has withdrawn from the weekend, too, as he has continued to struggle with fatigue after a viral infection last month.  
  
He was able to compete last weekend at Sepang but has laboured from the get-go here, finishing a low-key 13th in the sprint before pulling out following the warm-up.  
  
There are questions, too, about whether Maverick Vinales will take the start for Tech3 KTM.  
  
A despondent Vinales, who is still not fit after his shoulder injury last year, said he "doesn't want anymore to ride like this".  
  
But he did run in the warm-up, and there has been no communication from Tech3 about him sitting out the race.  
  
If the grid size ends up at 16, it means Jorge Martin would need to beat just one rider to take the championship fight to Portugal - even if Marc Marquez were to win the grand prix.