MotoGP rookie Somkiat Chantra will be absent for both the Austrian and Hungarian Grands Prix following a severe knee injury sustained during training. The Thai rider’s ongoing physical setback has forced LCR Honda to quickly adjust their race lineup, confirming only a replacement for the Hungarian event amid rising concerns about Chantra’s season.
Details of Chantra’s Injury and Medical Assessment
Chantra suffered significant ligament damage to his right knee in a training crash after the Dutch Grand Prix in June. This injury has sidelined him since, severely impacting his debut MotoGP campaign. After undergoing a full medical evaluation at Dexeus Hospital in Barcelona on August 13, doctors ruled him unfit to compete at the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix, confirming the seriousness of his condition.
LCR Honda’s Response and Aleix Espargaro’s Return for Hungary
With little time before the Red Bull Ring race, LCR Honda has chosen not to name a substitute rider for the Austrian Grand Prix. However, they plan to field experienced HRC test rider Aleix Espargaro for the Hungarian Grand Prix next week. Espargaro, a three-time MotoGP race winner, has served primarily as a test rider in 2025 but has recently participated in three Grand Prix weekends, showing mixed results.
Espargaro’s season included scoring points at the Spanish Grand Prix before being penalized for tyre pressure infringements. His race at the British Grand Prix ended prematurely due to a first-lap crash, and although he stepped in for Luca Marini at the Dutch Grand Prix, he narrowly missed scoring points with a 16th place finish.
Chantra’s Struggles and the Impact on LCR Honda’s Future Plans
This year has been difficult for the young Thai rider, who has earned just one point across the season and has yet to qualify higher than 19th place. His best result was a 15th place at the same Dutch Grand Prix before his injury. The sustained difficulties have created tension within the paddock regarding Honda’s direction with its Idemitsu-backed LCR Honda team, particularly the strategy of promoting an Asian rider amid a lack of strong alternatives.
Chantra was originally recruited to replace Takaaki Nakagami, who raced for LCR Honda from 2018 until last year, primarily as a commercial move to capitalize on growing MotoGP enthusiasm in Thailand. Now, questions loom about whether the rookie can recover and fulfill the potential that brought him to the premier class.
The Road Ahead for Somkiat Chantra and LCR Honda
As Chantra faces this challenging period marked by injury and performance hurdles, both the rider and team confront an uncertain future. The upcoming races will test Chantra’s ability to return to competitive form and determine how LCR Honda adjusts its roster amid ongoing pressure to deliver results. The broader MotoGP community remains watchful, recognizing that the outcome of this situation could influence team strategies and rider lineups beyond this season.
