Somkiat Chantra to Miss Austrian and Hungarian GPs – Aleix Espargaró to Fill In for Hungary
IDEMITSU Honda LCR’s Somkiat Chantra has been ruled out of both the Austrian and Hungarian Grands Prix. Chantra sustained a ligament injury in his right knee during training following the Dutch GP and subsequently underwent surgery, focusing on rehabilitation.
Although he had been aiming to return this weekend at the Red Bull Ring, a medical evaluation on Wednesday morning by MotoGP Medical Director Dr. Ángel Charte and a knee specialist at Barcelona’s Dexeus University Hospital concluded that he is not fit to race at this time. As a result, Chantra will miss the next two rounds.
Regarding a replacement, IDEMITSU Honda LCR announced that they were unable to secure a suitable stand-in for the Austrian GP. Honda’s test riders are also unavailable due to injuries and other factors, meaning the team will compete in Austria with only one rider.
However, for the Hungarian GP at Balaton Park — set to make its MotoGP debut next week — HRC test rider Aleix Espargaró has been confirmed as Chantra’s replacement. Chantra is now targeting a return at the Barcelona round.