Somkiat Chantra will make a surprise return to MotoGP at the Japanese Grand Prix after Honda confirmed he will replace Joan Mir at Motegi.
The Thai rider will step aboard Honda's factory RC213V as Mir continues his recovery after being ruled out of both the Japanese and Indonesian Grands Prix. Honda says Mir has been undergoing further medical tests after experiencing persistent symptoms that have affected his energy and performance, with doctors recommending rest and rehabilitation.
For Chantra, the call-up provides an unexpected second chance in the premier class.
The 27-year-old spent the 2025 season with Honda LCR, becoming the first Thai rider to compete in MotoGP. He struggled during his rookie campaign, scoring seven points from 17 starts and finishing 26th in the championship, with 13th at the Indonesian GP his best result.
He moved to Honda's World Superbike programme for 2026, but his first season in the series has also been affected by injury. A pre-season crash required surgery and disrupted his adaptation to the Honda CBR1000RR-R. Chantra has nevertheless scored points on seven occasions this season.
Source: Naik Motor
His return to MotoGP also comes at a circuit with plenty of significance.
Motegi is where Chantra claimed his second Moto2 victory in 2023, and he also scored a 15th-place finish there during his 2025 MotoGP rookie season.
That familiarity could prove useful as he makes the jump back onto the RC213V after spending most of the year on Honda's superbike.
However, Chantra's return is currently limited to the Japanese GP. The following Indonesian round clashes with the World Superbike calendar, with the Estoril round scheduled for October 9 to 11.
That leaves Honda needing another replacement for Mir at Mandalika. Takaaki Nakagami, who stood in for Mir at the Austrian GP, is unavailable for Motegi because he is scheduled to compete as a wildcard for Honda's test team at the Japanese round.
For now, the focus is firmly on Chantra and his return to MotoGP.
After a difficult rookie season and an injury-disrupted start to his WorldSBK campaign, the Motegi weekend gives him another opportunity to demonstrate his pace at the highest level.
More importantly, he will have the chance to do it on Honda's factory machinery, at a circuit where he already knows what it takes to succeed.
