UK fans will have a chance to cheer on two local riders in the upcoming British MotoGP after Yamaha confirmed at Silverstone reshuffle that will see Cal Crutchlow promoted to the Factory team and Jake Dixon get his debut with Petronas SRT.
It is the latest reshuffle in the Yamaha line-up, prompted first by Franco Morbidelli’s knee injury and then by Maverick Vinales’ suspension and subsequent contract termination following the Austrian MotoGP.
With Vinales no longer a Yamaha rider, Crutchlow - who walked away from full-time MotoGP competition at the end of the 2020 MotoGP season in favour of a Yamaha test role - looks set to see out the season as a Factory rider alongside championship leader Fabio Quartararo.
Crutchlow had completed the previous two grands prix with the satellite Petronas SRT Yamaha team in place of Morbidelli, but with the Italian still out through injury, the Malaysian-backed team has opted to promote Dixon from Moto2 for his home race.
Though the Briton has endured a tough Moto2 campaign, one that is thought to have paid to chances of him landing one of two available Petronas SRT Yamaha rides for 2022, it is hoped a good showing on home soil could put him back on the wanted list.
"It’s been a lifelong goal to make it into the MotoGP™ class. So to get the opportunity to do it for one GP this year, on the bike that I always wanted to – the Yamaha YZR-M1 – and to do it at home is something really special.
“It is going to be very difficult but I’m looking forward to jumping on the big bike, even though it’s different, and it’s very exciting! I haven’t been able to sleep because I’ve just been thinking about it. It’s a dream come true.
“I’m going to give my all to do the best I can for the team and I want to say a massive thank you to them for this opportunity. Also to Yamaha for believing in me as well. I don’t have any targets, I’m just aiming to enjoy it and gather all the experience I can.
“I just want to wish Franco a speedy recovery and that we can see him back at the track soon.”
