Test rider Cal Crutchlow will be in action for Yamaha as a wildcard in MotoGP races in Mugello, United Kingdom and San Marino.
Cal Crutchlow will be participating in the Italian GP, British GP*, and San Marino GP* as a wild card. His aim will be to gather extra data to support Yamaha in their bike development mission.
Cal Crutchlow – Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Rider: “I’m looking forward to doing the three wild cards this season. I think it’s positive that Yamaha have entered our test team to do these wild cards. Obviously, we’re in the process of change and trying to improve the bike for the factory team and for Fabio and Álex.
“The three wild cards will be good added information for the engineers in Japan and in Europe. It will help them understand different settings with the bike. We may be able to try different things at these circuits that the factory riders are not trying, or we can just gather general information.
“I look forward to doing the two Italian races in Mugello and in Misano, and obviously I look forward to doing my home Grand Prix in Silverstone. It will be nice to get a British rider back on track in the MotoGP class again at these three races, and especially at Silverstone. I look forward to working with the test team again, like we’ve been doing, and having direct contact with the factory guys as well.”
UPDATE: Cal Crutchlow will be unable to ride as a wild card at the British GP due to a hand injury. Crutchlow will be replaced by Remy Gardner, who already gained some experience at the German GP when he filled in for Alex Rins. Rins will ride in Silverstone.
[Note: The story is as per press release]
(*Subject to final IRTA confirmation)