Somkiat Chantra’s one-off MotoGP appearance is already feeding into his WorldSBK programme. The Thai rider replaced the ill Joan Mir at the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi and finished fifth, his best result in the premier class during the 2025 season. At Estoril, he is trying to turn part of that experience into practical development work with Honda’s WorldSBK machine.

Chantra said the MotoGP weekend gave him the chance to explore different approaches to the electronics. He is now testing some of those ideas in WorldSBK, while recognising that a solution cannot simply be transferred unchanged between two motorcycles and championships. He ended Friday at Estoril in 13th place and made clear that the team still needs to find more performance.

Dixon brings another technical reference

Jake Dixon’s return has added another input to the process. Dixon had missed most of the season with an injury and resumed work on both electronics and set-up after rejoining the team. The two riders compared approaches, with Chantra trying some of Dixon’s electronics ideas and Dixon also testing elements from Chantra’s work. Chantra said the cooperation quickly proved useful and that Dixon was immediately fast after his return.

The clearest benefit for Chantra is the change in the bike’s feel. He said the latest set-up work and electronics changes have made riding more enjoyable, rather than leaving him constantly struggling with the Honda. He also credited the team’s sustained effort from the beginning of the year through Estoril. The Motegi lessons therefore sit within a wider WorldSBK development effort, not as a result that can be transferred wholesale from one class to the other.