Somkiat Chantra will make his MotoGP return as a stand-in for the injured Joan Mir at the Japanese Grand Prix with the factory Honda team. The confirmation came after Mir was declared medically unfit for the next two races, Japan and Indonesia, which take place in early October.
For now, Chantra is only confirmed for Motegi, as the Mandalika round clashes with the penultimate round of the World Superbike season at Estoril on 9-11 October. This marks a comeback for the Thai rider, who last raced full-time in the premier class in 2025.
Chantra spent six seasons in Moto2 between 2019 and 2024, securing two victories and six podiums in 106 races. In 2025, he stepped up to MotoGP with the LCR garage reserved for Asian riders, replacing Takaaki Nakagami, who retired at the end of 2024 and now works as an HRC test rider.
However, his first and only year in the premier class fell short of expectations. Chantra completed 17 starts with a 13th place in Indonesia as his best result, finishing the season with seven points and 26th in the championship standings. It was a tough learning curve, but he showed glimpses of speed in challenging conditions.
His move to World Superbike also got off to a difficult start in 2026. An injury in Sepang during pre-season preparation forced him to undergo surgery, delaying his adaptation to the Honda CBR1000RR-R. So far, Chantra has scored 10 points and sits 20th in the standings, albeit ahead of his team-mate Jake Dixon, who has been badly affected by injuries.
After Nakagami replaced Mir at the Austrian GP last weekend, Honda has had to turn to Chantra because the Japanese rider will take part in the race as a wildcard with the Honda Test Team. This gives Chantra a chance to show his progress, though he must quickly adapt to the RC213V, which has evolved since he last rode it.
For the Indonesian GP, Honda will have to decide who takes on the role of Mir's replacement. Chantra is due to be in World Superbike action while Nakagami has a private test in Sepang on 14-15 October. Aleix Espargaro, who has recovered from his serious back injury, would be a possibility, although the Spaniard will also have to be ready for the test following the Mandalika weekend.
Honda's decision highlights the thin depth of their current squad. With Mir absent and Nakagami busy as a test rider, the Japanese manufacturer must rotate available options. For Chantra, this is a golden opportunity to prove he still belongs at the top level, though the pressure will be immense as he races on Honda's home turf.
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