Somkiat Chantra made history as he lined up for his first-ever MotoGP race in the Tissot Sprint at the Chang International Circuit, becoming Thailand’s first full-time premier-class rider.
Representing LCR Honda, the 25-year-old finished in 19th place, but despite ending towards the back of the pack, he remained upbeat about his debut experience.
For Somkiat, the Sprint Race was more than just a result—it was an opportunity to understand the intense dynamics of MotoGP racing. He reflected on the experience positively, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the new bike, handling the electronics, and learning from the top riders.
“The sprint race was a great experience for me. I got to see how MotoGP riders start strong and adjust throughout the race. I also learned more about the bike’s system, which worked well, and the team was happy. Managing the various controls and settings was a key part of today, and I felt I did that well.”
Somkiat showed glimpses of promise during the race, especially when dueling with Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Enea Bastianini. However, a mistake at Turn 3 saw him lose ground, making it difficult to recover.
“Riding in the group felt great, but I made a mistake at Turn 3—I eased off the throttle too much, and my braking wasn’t strong enough. That made me drop back, and catching up was really tough. In MotoGP, once you fall out of the pack, it’s hard to recover, but if you can stay in the group, there’s always a chance to fight.”
With his first Sprint experience under his belt, Somkiat is eager to put on a stronger performance in the full Grand Prix race on March 2 at 3:00 p.m. local time. The Thai sensation remains confident that he can improve and give his home crowd something to cheer for.
“Tomorrow’s race should be exciting. I’ve learned a lot today, and I’ll try to stay in the group for a better finish. There should be something fun tomorrow.”
Credit Photo : Sorawit/SNE Sports
