Somkiat Chantra will make his MotoGP return as a stand-in for the injured Joan Mir at the Japanese Grand Prix for the factory Honda team. The Thai rider, currently competing in World Superbike, steps in after Mir was declared medically unfit for the next two rounds.
Mir will miss both the Japanese and Indonesian Grands Prix in early October. For now, Chantra is only confirmed for Japan, as the Mandalika round clashes with the penultimate World Superbike event at Estoril on 9-11 October.
Chantra's 2026 WorldSBK campaign has been challenging. An injury during pre-season testing at Sepang required surgery, hindering his adaptation to the Honda CBR1000RR-R. Despite this, he has scored 10 points and sits 20th in the standings, ahead of teammate Jake Dixon, who has also been plagued by injuries.
Prior to WorldSBK, Chantra spent six seasons in Moto2 (2019-2024), securing two wins and six podiums in 106 races. In 2025, he stepped up to MotoGP with LCR Honda, replacing Takaaki Nakagami. However, his rookie season fell short of expectations: a best finish of 13th in Indonesia, seven points, and 26th in the championship.
At Motegi, Honda turns to Chantra because Nakagami will race as a wildcard with the Honda Test Team. Nakagami had previously substituted for Mir at the Austrian GP last weekend. For Indonesia, Honda has yet to decide on Mir's replacement. Chantra is scheduled to race in WorldSBK, while Nakagami has a private test at Sepang on 14-15 October.
Aleix Espargaro, recovered from a serious back injury, is another option, though he also needs to be ready for testing after Mandalika. Honda faces a complex situation, balancing rider availability amid a packed calendar and Mir's injury.
This opportunity allows Chantra to prove his potential in the premier class. Although it's just one race, he can showcase his progress after a disappointing 2025. For Honda, it's a chance to evaluate squad depth in a highly competitive field.
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