Wolff criticizes criticism of Qatar race, but Mercedes colleagues can stay home

The upcoming Qatar Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi finale face uncertainty due to ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts. MotoGP riders have expressed concerns, leading Yamaha to withdraw from the Qatar race. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff commented on the riders' geopolitical awareness, supporting the decisions made by racing authorities. He emphasized the importance of safety and respecting individual choices regarding travel to the region. Ferrari's Frédéric Vasseur echoed Wolff's sentiments, noting that focus remains on the current racing schedule. Free practice sessions for MotoGP proceeded without issues, with a sprint race scheduled for Saturday.