MotoGP bosses have an obvious question to answer after Formula 1’s Malaysia announcement

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With Formula 1 announcing a replacement race for the Bahrain Grand Prix, it is time MotoGP address the uncertainty around the Qatar Grand Prix.

Rather than cancelling the race in April, MotoGP postponed the Qatar Grand Prix to November, with the hope being that the geopolitical situation in the Middle East would be resolved by then.

While some teams were happy the Qatar GP was postponed, it did create an uneven gap in the calendar that led to the back half of the season being more frontloaded.

A new date for the MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix has been confirmed

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However, Formula 1 has begun taking steps to address the possibility of Middle Eastern races not going forward, announcing that the Bahrain Grand Prix would be held in Sepang, Malaysia.

But Liberty Media haven’t shown the same level of urgency when it comes to coming up with contingency plans for the Qatar Grand Prix.

READ MORE: Formula 1 may make it ‘impossible’ for MotoGP to reschedule the Qatar Grand Prix to December

MotoGP must determine whether Qatar Grand Prix will go forward

As things stand, MotoGP officials have not made any decision about the Qatar Grand Prix in November, perhaps waiting to see what the geopolitical situation in the region looks like closer to the race.

But it would be best if they took action soon, and made a decision on what they are going to do. Carmelo Ezpeleta didn’t want to replace the Qatar Grand Prix earlier this year, but he may not have much of a choice now.

When the uncertainty first arose, Argentina was floated as a possible replacement. With the situation still unclear, MotoGP officials should reconsider going to South America, or any other circuit that is available.

If MotoGP officials choose to wait, they run the risk of learning that the race cannot be held far too late, thus leaving them with no option but to cancel the Qatar Grand Prix.

But by moving the race elsewhere, Liberty Media and the top brass at MotoGP will be secure in knowing that the calendar won’t have to be readjusted again.

MotoGP officials must follow Formula 1 playbook for Qatar GP decision

For all the criticism aimed at Liberty Media for trying to F1-ise MotoGP, this is one area that they should have taken a page out of their playbook.

Formula 1 officials have been far more proactive when it comes to the scheduling conflicts and issues that have arisen this season, especially compared to MotoGP officials.

What makes this lack of proactivity from MotoGP’s top brass even more baffling is that they only had to address the rescheduling of one race, compared to Formula 1, who usually host four races in the Middle East.

This is going to be one of the few rare occasions where MotoGP officials will be praised for replicating Formula 1’s approach and taking an active step to address a major concern.