Crutchlow likely to race at Silverstone as Honda confirm Zarco injury progress

Following his gruesome crash in Barcelona earlier this year, LCR Honda's Johann Zarco has been on the slow and difficult road to recovery. The crash, which was one of the most shocking in recent seasons, saw the French rider lose control at Turn 1 and then get dragged into the back of Pecco Bagnaia's Ducati. His leg became trapped between the grinding rear wheel and the exhaust as the bike flipped over multiple times in the gravel and ragdolled Zarco in the process.

Remarkably, the Frenchman didn't suffer any broken bones as a result, however the ligament damage was significant, and due to the tyre burns on his skin surgery was deemed impossible.

While not having surgery may speed up his overall recovery, the extent of the injuries was significant. With Zarco targetting a September return to action, it seems as though Britain's Cal Crutchlow could remain for his home race in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Zarco has nonetheless started his physical recouperation and has 'impressed doctors' with his fast healing. An official statement from LCR Honda today reads as follows:

After the crash in Catalunya, the initial MRI scans were performed while the knee was still heavily inflamed, making it difficult to accurately assess the full extent of the injury. As the inflammation subsided, further examinations provided a clearer picture and a more positive outlook than initially expected, with the injuries first suspected no longer confirmed. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is healing well, while the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), initially believed to be torn, is also showing encouraging signs of recovery. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), remains torn.

Given Zarco's update, it seems more than likely that Britain's Cal Crutchlow could stay on for a memorable return in Silverstone. The three-time MotoGP race winner has acted as a stand-in at LCR Honda since Mugello, and hasn't found it easy so far getting back up to speed at 40 years old. Nonetheless, his valiant efforts have not gone unnoticed, and each week he gets closer and closer to scoring his first points of the 2026 campaign.

Speaking with GP Blog at the Dutch Grand Prix in Assen, Crutchlow had the following assessment about his progress:

"I'm disappointed because I would have beat Augusto [Fernandez] today, without a shadow of a doubt, potentially even been able to stay with some of the other riders." he said.

Despite being marred by a technical issue, Crutchlow managed to finish the race just outside the points in P16.

"I wanted to fight, I also did yesterday, but today I felt like I could have, and over that race distance I was pleased with the way I rode." he told GP Blog, "Turn six and seven, 14 and 15 I lose so much time and today I kept losing the time even when I was riding alone but I just never risked that you know they're two fast Places that I didn't need to risk. And for the rest of it, I'm okay, you know. So in the end, we'll go to the next one."

Crutchlow's participation in the German Grand Prix on 10 - 12 July has already been confirmed, but we will have to wait and see whether the Coventry man will get a final run at the legendary Silverstone Circuit.