Overview

• MotoGP medical director Angel Charte and knee specialists at Barcelona’s Dexeus Hospital assessed Chantra on August 13 and determined he cannot compete at the Red Bull Ring or Balaton Park.
• LCR Honda will run only Johann Zarco at the Austrian GP and has named HRC test rider Aleix Espargaro as a stand-in solely for the Hungarian round.
• By leaving Chantra’s seat vacant in Austria, LCR has technically breached regulations requiring a substitute after more than ten days’ absence.
• Chantra’s rookie campaign has yielded just one point, a best finish of 15th and no qualifying position higher than 19th, intensifying scrutiny of his performance.
• Paddock speculation suggests LCR and Honda may opt against picking up Chantra’s option year and target Moto2 talent Diogo Moreira if the seat opens