Somkiat Chantra’s arrival in MotoGP for next season has been the subject of much debate, with many unconvinced of his potential. The first Thai rider in history to step up to the premier class, Chantra will replace Takaaki Nakagami at the LCR Honda team. However, his Moto2 record of just two wins in six years has left some observers, including former World Superbike champion and TNT Sports MotoGP commentator Neil Hodgson, sceptical.
Hodgson did not mince his words, calling
Chantra of ” most mediocre driver ” to have been promoted to MotoGP. He points out that Chantra is currently tenth in the Moto2 standings and has never shown, in his opinion, qualities that justify a place in MotoGP. ” I never thought when I looked at him that he had the ability to be a MotoGP rider.. I can’t remember the last time someone so mediocre was promoted to MotoGP. “, said
Hodgson in comments relayed in particular by motorpasionmoto.
He fears that Chantra is not dropped, with a significant gap compared to the other drivers, which could not only be harmful to his career but also pose
a risk on the track.
It is obvious that the thai passport played an important role in this decision
Hondaparticularly for commercial reasons linked to the Asian market. Initially, the plan of
Honda was to promote Japanese Ai Ogurabut the latter finally opted for an offer ofAprilia. It is therefore in this configuration that
Honda turned to
Chantra.
Can the cases of Nakagami and Di Giannantonio contradict the skeptics of the Somkiat Chantra case?
Hodgson is not the only one to express reservations. He refers to the precedent of Darryn Binderwho moved from Moto3 to MotoGP without going through Moto2, with very limited success. However, other examples show that results in Moto2 are not always an absolute indicator of success or failure in MotoGP.
Takaaki Nakagamithat Chantra
will replace him, won only one race in six years of Moto2, but had a respectable career in MotoGP.
Fabio Di Giannantoniowho has only won one Moto2 race, is now an official Ducati rider.
While the Honda RC213V, considered the toughest bike on the grid at the moment, may not allow
Chantra to shine immediately, his arrival is not without precedent. He will have to overcome the doubts that surround him, but he is far from being the least deserving driver to access the premier category. Time will tell if Chantra can prove his detractors wrong, as Hodgsonthat they are wrong.
