Yamaha’s Alex Rins has been excluded from the remainder of the British Grand Prix weekend following a crash late in the second practice session on Friday.
After missing last month’s German Grand Prix due to an incident in the Assen race, Rins was just getting back into action at Silverstone when he ended up in the gravel at Turn 6 with only minutes left in the hour-long session.
The Spaniard was seen raising his right hand after the crash, indicating that he may have exacerbated the injuries he sustained during the Dutch Grand Prix last month; however, this has not been confirmed by him yet.
Later that day, Yamaha released a statement confirming that Rins was experiencing pain and would prioritize his health for the rest of the weekend.
The 29-year-old is set to undergo additional tests following a period of rest to evaluate his fitness for the upcoming round in Spielberg, the Austrian Grand Prix, scheduled for 18 August.
His spot in the factory Yamaha team at the British GP will be filled by World Superbike regular Remy Gardner, who was already participating as a wildcard this weekend as part of the Japanese manufacturer’s test team. He will now have the opportunity to earn manufacturer points for Yamaha.
“After discussing my medical situation with my doctors, we agreed that the most sensible decision is to skip the remainder of the British GP,” Rins stated.
“I regret this decision for both the team and myself. Every lap this season has been beneficial for the bike’s development and for closing the gap with competitors.
“However, the pain I’m experiencing and the risk of further injury, accompanied by medical advice, leads me to this conclusion. I look forward to returning to the track and resuming work soon.”
Alex Rins, Yamaha Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Rins was ejected from his M1 at the onset of the Dutch GP in June, resulting in two minor fractures in his right hand and one in his left leg due to the severe crash.
He promptly traveled to Madrid to undergo a double surgery, during which doctors operated on both his hand and leg.
In the initial surgery, he had some nails inserted into his hand, which are now thought to be primarily responsible for his current issues. Additionally, some nails were removed from his foot, although several bones have yet to fully heal.
Consequently, doctors advised him to avoid any risks upon his return to Silverstone.
The crash during FP2 forced him to abandon his plans for an early recovery from his injuries.
Yamaha’s managing director Lin Jarvis remarked: “First and foremost, I would like to convey my condolences to Alex.
“Riders invariably feel disappointed when they are unable to compete, but this situation is especially frustrating for Alex, as the British GP is a noteworthy event. It’s significant for Monster Energy, who sponsors this round, and for Dorna, who are hosting the 75th Anniversary celebrations of MotoGP.
“Moreover, Alex has a strong affinity for Silverstone and has achieved great results here, making this situation even more disappointing. However, his health and well-being must take precedence. Therefore, we believe it is unreasonable for him to continue participating in the British GP weekend, and we hope to see him back in Austria in improved condition.”
