Moto2 Honda Team Aisa rider Somkiat Chantra will become the first full-time Thai participant in MotoGP when he replaces LCR Honda’s Takaaki Nakagami from the 2025 season onwards.
Currently ranked 10th in the Moto2 Riders’ standings, Chantra made an impression when he took the first win for a Thai rider in the intermediate class with victory at the 2022 Indonesian Grand Prix.
He added victory in Japan a year later and the 2016 Asia Talent Cup champion becomes the second to progress from the programme to MotoGP after Ai Ogura snubbed Honda to sign with Trackhouse Racing next season.
Chantra’s promotion to the LCR Honda outfit comes amid Nakagami electing to step down from full-time racing to become an HRC Development Rider after seven seasons in MotoGP.
“I’m excited to join the LCR team,” Chantra said.
“Stepping into MotoGP has always been my dream, and I will finally make it true.
“I want to thank all the sponsors and people who have supported me from the beginning of my career until now.
“For the next season, I’m committed to learning, giving my maximum, and enjoying this new adventure. It will be difficult, but I will give my best.”
LCR Team Principal and CEO Lucio Cecchinello added: “Alongside HRC, we believe that it’s time to welcome a great Asian talent such as Somkiat Chantra, as we think he deserves an opportunity at the highest level of the two-wheel competition.
“Through his years in Moto2, he’s shown potential and the skills to grow and become a strong rider in MotoGP.
“LCR and Honda will provide him with the best to support him over the different phases of this new project.”
Koji Watanabe, president of the Honda Racing Corporation said: “We are very pleased to announce Somkiat Chantra’s promotion to the MotoGP class, and we believe that Honda’s long-standing efforts to bring riders from Asia to the world stage will bear fruit and contribute greatly to the promotion of motorsports in the region in the future.
“We hope that Honda riders will continue to excel in the premier class and become Grand Prix riders that many young people will look up to.”
