The news British MotoGP fans were waiting to hear – Cal Crutchlow will continue to stand in for the injured Johann Zarco in Castrol Honda LCR colours at the upcoming Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Great Britain.
The British rider, who has filled the Frenchman's void since the Italian Grand Prix, last competed at his beloved Silverstone in 2021 while riding for Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, replacing injured Franco Morbidelli. Meanwhile, his last full-time appearance at the legendary venue came in 2019 when Crutchlow picked up a P6. And for whom? Castrol Honda LCR.
Crutchlow’s most memorable MotoGP weekend at Silverstone came in 2016, also with LCR, when the #35 clinched pole position before finishing P2 in the Grand Prix – a result which made it back-to-back podiums following his debut victory in Brno.
In total, Crutchlow has collected five top seven results at the British Grand Prix, and while a repeat of his top Silverstone results in 2012 (P6), 2013 (P7), 2016 (P2), 2017 (P4), and 2019 (P6) are unlikely, seeing the #35 back racing in MotoGP at Silverstone will be a win in itself for the British faithful.
And who knows, after battling for the points at the Sachsenring, don’t rule out a dose of home crowd support - and there will be plenty of that for the British legend - giving Crutchlow an extra boost to be in the points battle again in Northamptonshire.