Somkiat Chantra reflects on debut MotoGP race with LCR Honda

LCR Honda rider Somkiat Chantra shares key lessons from his first MotoGP race in Buriram.

Somkiat Chantra of Thailand and LCR Honda looks on in the garage during the free practice 1 session of the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix at the Buriram International Circuit in Buriram on February 28, 2025. Photo by Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Somkiat Chantra made history at the Thai Grand Prix, becoming the first Thai rider to compete in MotoGP. Stepping up from Moto2, the two-time grand prix winner joined the LCR Honda squad for the 2025 season opener at Buriram.

Despite qualifying at the back of the grid, Chantra managed to climb a few places during the race, ultimately finishing 18th. He crossed the line five seconds behind the final points-paying position, claimed by Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo.

While he left the weekend without scoring, the LCR Honda rider emphasized that his debut was a valuable learning experience, particularly from observing two seasoned competitors—Quartararo and Maverick Vinales—during the race.

Learning from MotoGP’s elite

Chantra reflected on his experience, highlighting the physical demands of MotoGP and the strategic elements of race management.

“For me, this was a really good experience because we could understand if my body is ready for 26 laps or not,” he explained.

“I also learned a lot about how other riders manage their tires from start to finish. Toward the end, I was riding with Fabio and also Maverick, and I tried to study their riding styles. It wasn’t such a bad day for me—it was a good day.”

One of the key takeaways for Chantra was Quartararo’s approach to tire management. While the LCR Honda rookie struggled with excessive tire wear early on, Quartararo maintained consistent grip levels throughout the race, enabling him to pull away in the latter stages.

Tire management challenges in MotoGP debut

Chantra acknowledged that his aggressive approach in the early laps cost him valuable performance later in the race.

“When I followed Fabio at the beginning, he seemed to manage his tires really well,” Chantra said. “By the end, he still had more grip, and he was able to pull away slightly.

“Maverick also looked like he had more pace toward the end. I think I was too aggressive early on, and I destroyed my tires in the beginning. That made it difficult to recover later in the race.”

Tire degradation is a crucial factor in MotoGP, with experienced riders carefully balancing speed and conservation to maintain optimal performance over a full race distance. Chantra’s struggles in this area reflect the steep learning curve that rookies face when transitioning from Moto2.

Battling extreme heat at Buriram

The Thai Grand Prix presented additional challenges with near 40-degree Celsius temperatures pushing both riders and machines to their limits. Many competitors reported extreme heat radiating from their bikes, with Honda riders in particular struggling with heat dissipation.

Repsol Honda’s Joan Mir cited overheating issues as the reason for his crash, raising concerns about the RC213V’s ability to manage high temperatures over a race distance.

When asked about his own experience, Chantra admitted he felt the heat but managed to cope with it.

“My bike was a little bit hot on my leg in the last 10 laps, but for me, it was okay,” he said.

His comments echoed those of fellow rookie Ai Ogura, who also downplayed the impact of the heat. Both Chantra and Ogura previously competed in the Asia Talent Cup, a regional series known for its demanding conditions, which may have helped them adapt to the extreme temperatures in Buriram.

Looking ahead to the next challenge

Despite finishing outside the points, Chantra remains optimistic about his progress in MotoGP. His ability to gain insight from experienced riders and recognize areas for improvement will be crucial as he continues his rookie campaign.

With the Argentina Grand Prix up next, the LCR Honda rider will look to apply the lessons learned in Thailand and refine his race approach. As he gains more experience, Chantra’s adaptation to MotoGP’s physical demands, tire management strategies, and the intricacies of the RC213V will determine his ability to break into the points and establish himself as a competitive premier-class rider.