{"id":1224,"date":"2026-08-25T13:13:35","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T16:13:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=1224"},"modified":"2026-08-25T13:13:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T16:13:36","slug":"cal-crutchlow-approves-fabio-quartararo-move-to-honda-and-summarizes-a-perfect-match","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/motogp\/cal-crutchlow-approves-fabio-quartararo-move-to-honda-and-summarizes-a-perfect-match\/","title":{"rendered":"Crutchlow approves Quartararo\u2019s move to Honda and summarizes: \u201cA perfect match\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeaways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>High praise for the pairing:<\/strong> <strong>Cal Crutchlow described Fabio Quartararo and Honda as a &#8220;perfect match&#8221;<\/strong> as both parties share a relentless drive to return to the top of MotoGP.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Two-year deal signed:<\/strong> Dissatisfied with Yamaha\u2019s lack of progress, <strong>Quartararo opted out of contract extension talks with Iwata to sign a two-year contract with Honda<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Open seat battle at HRC:<\/strong> Quartararo\u2019s teammate for his Honda tenure remains unconfirmed, with <strong>Diogo Moreira and David Alonso competing for the second HRC seat<\/strong> through 2028.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cal Crutchlow<\/strong> believes that <strong>Fabio Quartararo<\/strong> and <strong>Honda<\/strong> represent a &#8220;perfect match&#8221; for the future of MotoGP.<sup><\/sup> The British rider\u2014who returned to racing action in 2026 as a replacement for <strong>Johann Zarco<\/strong> at <strong>LCR<\/strong>\u2014praised the Frenchman&#8217;s raw talent and noted that the ongoing rider market shuffle is generating immense excitement across the paddock.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Quartararo spent his entire premier-class career riding for <strong>Yamaha<\/strong>.<sup><\/sup> Frustrated by the slow pace of development on the <strong>YZR-M1<\/strong>, &#8220;El Diablo&#8221; bypassed contract renewal talks with the Iwata factory and locked in a two-year deal to join Honda.<sup><\/sup> The identity of his future teammate remains undecided, as Moto2 standout <strong>Diogo Moreira<\/strong> and Moto3 star <strong>David Alonso<\/strong>\u2014who are both under contract with <strong>HRC<\/strong> through 2028\u2014compete for the second factory bike.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Asked about the incoming partnership between Honda and the former World Champion, Crutchlow offered an optimistic assessment.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I think it&#8217;s going to be good. <strong>I know the way Fabio rides, and I also know his personality and mindset. He wants to win, and Honda wants to win.<\/strong> There&#8217;s no reason why it shouldn&#8217;t be a perfect match,&#8221; Crutchlow stated.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/RD11_Sachsenring_Crutchlow_2026-02915-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"MotoGP 2026 Alemanha Sachsenring Domingo LCR Cal Crutchlow\" class=\"wp-image-1020309391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/RD11_Sachsenring_Crutchlow_2026-02915-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/RD11_Sachsenring_Crutchlow_2026-02915-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/RD11_Sachsenring_Crutchlow_2026-02915-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/RD11_Sachsenring_Crutchlow_2026-02915-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/RD11_Sachsenring_Crutchlow_2026-02915-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/RD11_Sachsenring_Crutchlow_2026-02915.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cal Crutchlow returned to MotoGP action during the 2026 season (Photo: LCR)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I think it&#8217;s a great move for both sides,&#8221; the British veteran evaluated.<sup><\/sup> &#8220;<strong>Honda secures a champion of Fabio&#8217;s caliber<\/strong>, and given his riding style, I think he will do very, very well. <strong>Fabio gets to join a team fully determined to get back to winning ways<\/strong>,&#8221; he noted.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;The recent moves in the rider market bring a lot of excitement to the championship. But Fabio is an outstanding rider. <strong>In terms of pure talent, he is right at the top of the grid and works extremely hard<\/strong>, so I think it&#8217;s a solid combination,&#8221; Crutchlow concluded.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Crutchlow&#8217;s reaction arrives amidst a busy week in the paddock, with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/motogp\/motogp-promotes-carlos-ezpeleta-to-deputy-ceo-alongside-carmelo\/&amp;authuser=3\">MotoGP promoting Carlos Ezpeleta to Deputy CEO alongside Carmelo<\/a> while <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/motogp\/jorge-martin-celebrates-aragon-debut-with-aprilia\/&amp;authuser=3\">Jorge Mart\u00edn celebrates his upcoming Aprilia debut at Aragon<\/a>. Additionally, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/motogp\/bezzecchi-reveals-physical-setback-after-silverstone-racing-exertion\/&amp;authuser=3\">Marco Bezzecchi downplayed a physical setback<\/a> following his Silverstone podiums, as Tech3 team manager <strong>G\u00fcnther Steiner<\/strong> confirmed that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/motogp\/maverick-vinales-continues-recovery-misses-tech3-seat-at-aragon-and-targets-misano-return\/\">Pol Espargar\u00f3 will continue filling in for the injured Maverick Vi\u00f1ales<\/a> at MotorLand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MotoGP returns to action from <strong>August 28\u201330 for the Aragon Grand Prix<\/strong>, the 13th round of the 2026 season.<sup><\/sup> <strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/a><\/strong> provides complete coverage of all sessions across every class of the World Motorcycle Championship. Follow all updates on our <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/news\/\">news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">MotoGP 2026: Drivers&#8217; World Championship Standings (Top 5)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Pos<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Driver<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Team<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Bike<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Points<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>1<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Jorge Mart\u00edn<\/strong><\/td><td>Aprilia Racing<\/td><td>Aprilia RS-GP<\/td><td><strong>240<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>2<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Marco Bezzecchi<\/strong><\/td><td>Aprilia Racing<\/td><td>Aprilia RS-GP<\/td><td><strong>209<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>3<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Ai Ogura<\/strong><\/td><td>Trackhouse Racing Team<\/td><td>Aprilia RS-GP<\/td><td><strong>203<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>4<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Marc M\u00e1rquez<\/strong><\/td><td>Ducati Lenovo Team<\/td><td>Ducati Desmosedici<\/td><td><strong>200<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>5<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Fabio Di Giannantonio<\/strong><\/td><td>Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team<\/td><td>Ducati Desmosedici<\/td><td><strong>199<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">MotoGP Aragon GP: Schedule (Global Time Zones)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>US (ET)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Free Practice 1 (FP1):<\/strong> Friday, August 28 \u2013 04:45<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Practice (PR):<\/strong> Friday, August 28 \u2013 09:00<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Qualifying (Q1\/Q2):<\/strong> Saturday, August 29 \u2013 04:50 \/ 05:15<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sprint Race:<\/strong> Saturday, August 29 \u2013 09:00<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grand Prix Race:<\/strong> Sunday, August 30 \u2013 08:00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>London (UK &#8211; BST \/ UTC+1)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Free Practice 1 (FP1):<\/strong> Friday, August 28 \u2013 09:45<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Practice (PR):<\/strong> Friday, August 28 \u2013 14:00<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Qualifying (Q1\/Q2):<\/strong> Saturday, August 29 \u2013 09:50 \/ 10:15<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sprint Race:<\/strong> Saturday, August 29 \u2013 14:00<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grand Prix Race:<\/strong> Sunday, August 30 \u2013 13:00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Spain (CEST \/ UTC+2)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Free Practice 1 (FP1):<\/strong> Friday, August 28 \u2013 10:45<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Practice (PR):<\/strong> Friday, August 28 \u2013 15:00<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Qualifying (Q1\/Q2):<\/strong> Saturday, August 29 \u2013 10:50 \/ 11:15<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sprint Race:<\/strong> Saturday, August 29 \u2013 15:00<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grand Prix Race:<\/strong> Sunday, August 30 \u2013 14:00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Thailand (ICT \/ UTC+7)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Free Practice 1 (FP1):<\/strong> Friday, August 28 \u2013 15:45<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Practice (PR):<\/strong> Friday, August 28 \u2013 20:00<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Qualifying (Q1\/Q2):<\/strong> Saturday, August 29 \u2013 15:50 \/ 16:15<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sprint Race:<\/strong> Saturday, August 29 \u2013 20:00<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grand Prix Race:<\/strong> Sunday, August 30 \u2013 19:00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Indonesia (WIB \/ UTC+7)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Free Practice 1 (FP1):<\/strong> Friday, August 28 \u2013 15:45<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Practice (PR):<\/strong> Friday, August 28 \u2013 20:00<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Qualifying (Q1\/Q2):<\/strong> Saturday, August 29 \u2013 15:50 \/ 16:15<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sprint Race:<\/strong> Saturday, August 29 \u2013 20:00<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grand Prix Race:<\/strong> Sunday, August 30 \u2013 19:00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions (FAQ)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Why did Fabio Quartararo decide to leave Yamaha for Honda?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Quartararo chose to leave Yamaha due to frustration over the slow development pace of the YZR-M1, signing a two-year deal with Honda to lead HRC&#8217;s revival effort.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Why is Cal Crutchlow racing in MotoGP during the 2026 season?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cal Crutchlow returned to competition in 2026 to substitute for Johann Zarco at LCR Honda.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Who are the candidates to partner Fabio Quartararo at Honda?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Diogo Moreira and David Alonso, who both hold long-term HRC contracts through 2028, are the main contenders vying for the second seat alongside Quartararo.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cal Crutchlow highlighted Fabio Quartararo\u2019s talent and commitment, expressing confidence in a successful partnership between the French rider and Honda.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020311494,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Cal Crutchlow returned to MotoGP action during the 2026 season","42wp_featured_image_credits":"AFP","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[34,35],"42wp_author":[36],"class_list":["post-1224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-motogp","tag-fabio-quartararo","tag-honda","42wp_author-juliana-tesser"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1224","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1224"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1224\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1225,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1224\/revisions\/1225"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020311494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1224"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=1224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}