Somkiat to become first Thai MotoGP rider in 2025

Somkiat Chantra will become the first Thai rider to race fulltime in MotoGP next season with Honda-LCR, the team announced on Thursday.

The 25-year-old will replace Japan's Takaaki Nakagami, who will become a test rider, at the Honda satellite team.

"Stepping into MotoGP has always been my dream, and I will finally make it true," Somkiat said in a statement.

"I'm committed to learning, giving my maximum, and enjoying this new adventure. It will be difficult, but I will give my best."

"I was crying, calling my Mama who was crying!" 👏

Tears of joy for @somkiat35 as he'll become the first Thai #MotoGP rider next season and he'll race his first race at home in Thailand! 🇹🇭#AragonGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/QtFjbN1rIl

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 29, 2024

Somkiat has won two races in Moto2 since making his debut in the class in 2019 and finished sixth in the riders' standings last season.

He is 10th in the championship this year with 64 points from 11 races.