MotoGP Updates: Gardner to replace Crutchlow in British GP

Australian rider Remy Gardner is once again returning to MotoGP as a wildcard, replacing Cal Crutchlow, who had a hand injury.

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Monster Energy Yamaha has announced that Cal Crutchlow will be unable to ride as a wild card at the British GP due to a hand injury. 

In his place, Remy Gardner will step up, having already gained some experience at the German GP when he filled in for Álex Rins. Meanwhile, Rins is expected to have made a full recovery for Silverstone.

Gardner, 26, finished 20th in the sprint race and 19th in the previous Grand Prix in Germany. It was his first MotoGP appearance since being fired by KTM after one season in 2022, following his Moto2 championship win the year before.

Crutchlow expressed his disappointment, saying, “Unfortunately, I am unable to attend my wild card appearance at the Monster Energy British GP at Silverstone this year. I had surgery on my hand two months ago, and the recovery has not gone as expected at all, leading to a further surgery and complications.

“It is important to let my hand heal fully before trying to ride the MotoGP bike. I look forward to coming back and riding with my Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Team as soon as I can and continue our project to improve the current and next year’s package for the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team.

“Finally, I would like to wish Remy good luck and to have fun. He has experience on the MotoGP bike and got a good taste of the Yamaha in Germany at the last race, so it is the perfect situation for him to ride the bike again.”

Gardner also shared his thoughts, saying, “First of all, I just want to say that I hope that Cal can get better soon. I saw him last week, and I hope he can get back to riding and help the MotoGP project along.

“Obviously, it’s a nice opportunity to get to ride the M1 again, so I’m really happy. Silverstone is a track I like, and hopefully I can give some more important feedback to Yamaha and the team and continue to enjoy the moment. Thanks to everyone at Yamaha, and I’m looking forward to riding again!”

Gardner is now a full-time rider for Yamaha in the World Superbikes Championship (WSBK), sitting eighth in the championship standings after finishing 10th, 13th, and 11th in the three races at the Donington Park round in England last weekend.

The Australian rider will join the returning Rins and 2021 MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo for Yamaha at Silverstone, where all 11 teams will appear in retro liveries to mark the 75th anniversary of the world championship.