Somkiat Chantra will become the first Thai rider to race in MotoGP as he will join the LCR Honda IDEMITSU squad in 2025.
Before the Aragon Grand Prix, the LCR Honda IDEMITSU squad announced that Takaaki Nakagami would end his MotoGP career at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Shortly after that announcement, his successor was named.
Somkiat Chantra will be promoted from Moto2 to MotoGP in 2025. The Thai rider will make history as the first-ever MotoGP rider from Thailand.
As it stands Chantra is 10th in the Moto2 Championship with a best result of fifth place in 2024. However, with two Moto2 wins and four further podiums to his name Chantra has done enough to secure a MotoGP ride.
After the announcement, Chantra said: “I'm excited to join the LCR team. 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.”
Lucio Cecchinello, LCR Honda Team Principal said: “For the future, 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.”
