MotoGP: Yamaha Confirms Cal Crutchlow Wildcard Appearance in Grand Prix of Japan

Crutchlow officially became Yamaha's factory test and development rider after retiring from full-time racing at the conclusion of the 2020 season. Unfortunately, a lot has happened since Crutchlow hung up his racing boots, and RNF has moved to Aprilia power for the 2023 season; without the help of a satellite team, Yamaha and its fellow team Honda have failed to catch up to the European teams of Aprilia, Ducati, and KTM. Yamaha will benefit much from being able to evaluate the M1 machine being ridden by its test rider in the crucible of competition thanks to the presence of an extra bike on the grid in Japan. The Japanese manufacturer is having trouble keeping up with the competition with just two riders representing the company. Currently, it ranks last in the Constructors' standings, 15 points behind Honda in fourth place and 116 lengths behind Ducati in first place.

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MotoGP: Yamaha’s 2023 Season So Far

Yamaha's 2023 campaign proved to be a bust, with the Japanese company finishing last in the manufacturers' standings after earning only one grand prix podium and one sprint rostrum thanks to 2021 world champion Quartararo. Yamaha and Honda, both Japanese manufacturers, have struggled in the early stages of the 2023 MotoGP season. With the exception of Casey Stoner's dominating 2007 season and Francesco Bagnaia's remarkable comeback from 91 points behind to win the title last year, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Honda have all had premier-class championship-winning riders in every season since 1975.

A track limits penalty for KTM's Brad Binder allowed Fabio Quartararo to move up to third place in the Americas Grand Prix and maintain that position in the Dutch GP sprint. Yamaha is presently in last place in the constructors' rankings, seven points behind Honda and 203 points behind Ducati. Ducati has won every race in 2023 except for two sprints and one Grand Prix. Because of their struggles, Honda and Yamaha are once again in the conversation about receiving concessions to help the struggling Japanese giants.

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MotoGP: LCR Honda Rider Alex Rins to Miss Silverstone GP

Alex Rins will be absent from the British Grand Prix. The five-week layoff in MotoGP competition is not nearly long enough for him to recuperate from the right leg fracture he sustained at the Italian Grand Prix in June. The two-time surgery recipient and five-time MotoGP race winner suffered a fractured tibia and fibula and will be out of action until at least the Austrian GP in mid-August. 

Alex Rins, who joined Honda for the 2023 MotoGP season, is allegedly considering a move to Yamaha in response to the treatment he has received from Honda. When Suzuki pulled out of MotoGP at the end of the 2022 season, Rins and his former colleague Joan Mir both moved to the Honda LCR squad to race with Marc Marquez. The LCR Honda rider has been documenting his recovery from two surgeries on his tibia and fibula. Rins, while racing for a satellite team, is on a direct contract with Honda until the end of 2024. However, he would be able to break out of his contract early if another club offered him a factory deal.