It's a cold shower for Somkiat Chantra in the merciless arena of MotoGP 2025. While the other two rookies, Ai Ogura and Fermin Aldeguer, are shining, the LCR Honda rider is floundering. After four Grands Prix and eight races, the 26-year-old Thai rider has a mixed record: his best result? A 16th place in Austin, just shy of his first point in the premier class. Not enough to break out the champagne, even if he took advantage of the retirements ahead of him to gain a few positions.
As the 2025 MotoGP season gets off to a flying start with rookies already in the spotlight, Somkiat Chantra has a more complicated start than his classmates. AlongsideAi Ogura et Fermin Aldeguer, two rookies who regularly shine in the top 10 or even better, the Thai from Honda LCR barely exists. And the figures speak for themselves.
After four Grands Prix and eight races, the best result of Chantra is a 16th place in Austin, on the verge of points, while his colleagues are shining: Ogura (Aprilia) impressed from the opening round in Thailand with two top 5 finishes, Aldeguer (Ducati Gresini) is gaining momentum and has just achieved a 4th place in Qatar, its best result so far.
In comparison, Chantra finished far from the peloton, as was again the case in Doha, where he crossed the line last, 38 seconds behind Marc Marquez. However, the pilot of 26 years remains positive: my rhythm was better. We have made progress and I am delighted.I know we still have to do better and I hope that will be the case in Jerez. " he confided, determined.
Struggling with the clock, the race against time has begun for Somkiat Chantra
It must be said that the Honda RC213V is not the easiest bike on the grid, but it is making progress. The Japanese manufacturer already occupies 2nd place in the manufacturers' standings, and Johann zarco, his teammate at LCR, shone with a 4th place in the QatarThe comparison is not tender, but it is inevitable.
« He deserves a chance in the premier class ", had declared Lucio Cecchinello in August 2024, when he announced the promotion of ChantraA choice that was welcomed at the time, as the Thai had shown great things in Moto2: winner in Indonesia in 2022, then in Japan in 2023, he finished 6th in the Moto2 championship last year, the best Asian rider and a model of consistency.
But MotoGP does not forgive. Ogura dominated Raul fernandez. Aldeguer tickles the official Ducati. Chantra, he struggles to find the rhythm, despite the progress of the bike and his technical environment. The danger? That this running-in season turns into a reprieve, with a premature return to Moto2 or elsewhere as early as 2026 if the results do not follow.
Everything is still possible, but the next one Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez could well become a pivotal moment for ChantraHe is one of the most appreciated drivers in the paddock, hardworking, humble, combative. But in MotoGP, sympathy doesn't score points. Only the track speaks.
