Crutchlow: “I believed I could win – then Jack sent me off”

Cal Crutchlow is set to make another MotoGP appearance at Silverstone. The 40-year-old will once again stand in for the injured LCR Honda rider Johann Zarco in front of his home fans.

This means that a local hero will finally be back on the starting grid at this year’s British Grand Prix. “Silverstone is one of the greatest circuits in the world. We’ve seen some special races there in the past,” the Briton told colleagues at motogp.com. “And races at Silverstone are usually close. I don’t know why, but it seems that fast circuits often produce great battles.”

Crutchlow’s track record on the British Isles

Crutchlow last took part in a MotoGP race weekend at Silverstone in 2021. At the time, he stood in for the injured Franco Morbidelli in the Yamaha factory team. His last appearance as a regular rider on the British circuit was in 2019, when he finished sixth – for the LCR Honda team. Crutchlow’s most successful MotoGP weekend at Silverstone came in 2016, when he secured pole position and finished second in the Grand Prix.

“My highlight came in 2016. 2017 was also a great year, but I was very disappointed not to be on the podium. 2015 was memorable. I did really well in the wet race back then and I believed I could win. But then Jack (Miller) knocked me off the track,” Crutchlow recalled with a smile. The Australian was his team-mate at LCR at the time. In total, Crutchlow has achieved five top-seven finishes at the British Grand Prix – in 2012 (6th), 2013 (7th), 2016 (2nd), 2017 (4th) and 2019 (6th).

Lots of new fans at Silverstone

Cal Crutchlow is also looking forward to the fans who will be cheering him on at the circuit. “At Silverstone, you always see new people who’ve never watched a MotoGP race live or on TV before,” he emphasised. “They then have the chance to witness the spectacle we all love. I would always encourage people to watch MotoGP and get involved, because in my opinion it’s the best sport in the world.”

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07.08.2026 - 10:55

Crutchlow is already competing in his sixth race weekend of the 2026 MotoGP season at Silverstone. The veteran rider has also lined up at the Grands Prix in Mugello, Balaton Park, Brno, Assen and at the Sachsenring. Crutchlow has failed to score any points in his races so far this year.