Somkiat Chantra will miss the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring due to a knee injury sustained during off-road training near Barcelona on July 4. After undergoing surgery on July 8 to repair the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, the Thai rider has already missed the German and Czech Grands Prix, leaving Honda with the difficult task of finding a replacement for the upcoming race weekend.
Honda fielded test rider Takaaki Nakagami as Chantra’s substitute at Brno, but Nakagami himself suffered an injury during the sprint race’s first lap. Meanwhile, the official entry list for the Austrian GP lists Chantra’s replacement as “to be confirmed,” highlighting Honda’s ongoing uncertainty in filling the vacancy.
Additional Injuries Compound Honda’s Rider Shortage
Honda’s challenges intensified as its other test rider, Aleix Espargaro, recently became sidelined after a cycling accident during the Tour of Austria. The manufacturer had also agreed with World Superbike rider Iker Lecuona to fill in at Austria and Hungary, but Lecuona was injured in the WorldSBK round at Hungary’s Balaton Park.
Other options under consideration have included Stefan Bradl, but the German rider has reportedly declined the opportunity. Xavi Vierge, another WorldSBK Honda competitor without prior MotoGP experience, is also a possible candidate. Lastly, test rider Tetsuta Nagashima, who last appeared in world championship races in 2022 as an HRC wildcard and substitute for Nakagami, remains a fallback option for Honda.
Maverick Vinales Set to Return at Austrian GP
In contrast to Honda’s predicament, the Red Bull Tech3 KTM MotoGP team will welcome back Maverick Vinales for the Austrian GP, marking a return from injury sustained in mid-July. Vinales crashed severely at the start of Q2 during the German GP on July 13, suffering a fractured shoulder that forced him to miss subsequent rounds in Sachsenring and the Czech Republic. KTM test rider Pol Espargaro replaced him during his absence.
Prior to his injury, Vinales had been among KTM‘s strongest competitors in the 2025 season, despite losing his best finish—a second place in Argentina—due to a tyre pressure violation. Currently, the Spaniard ranks 11th in the riders‘ championship with 69 points, noticeably behind teammate Pedro Acosta, who holds seventh place with 124 points.
The Growing Impact of Injuries on MotoGP Team Strategies
The mounting injuries to key riders have created a complex challenge for Honda as it prepares for the Austrian GP. The uncertainty over replacement options not only affects team preparations but also reflects the physical toll and risks inherent in MotoGP and related racing disciplines. Honda’s inability to confirm a substitute rider so close to the race weekend underscores the pressure on teams to maintain competitive line-ups amid unpredictable circumstances.
Meanwhile, Vinales’ return to racing offers a faint spark of relief for KTM, providing the team with an experienced competitor as the season progresses. How Honda navigates its replacement dilemma in the short term could influence race outcomes and its standing in the championship during this critical phase.
