#Moto2 | Smith to Replace Pawi for BritishGP
Bradley Smith is the only rider to have competed in 4 different categories associated to the MotoGP franchise, competing through 125cc, Moto2, MotoGP and MotoE. Petronas SRT have drafted in Smith to replace their injured rider, Khairul Idham Pawi.
Aprilia test rider Bradley Smith will return to the Moto2 class in place of Pawi, who injured his hand in a crash during the #SpanishGP weekend. Petronas SRT have replaced Pawi with Mattia Pasini, and for the last 5 rounds of the World Championship, Jonas Folger has competed aboard their motorcycle. However, Folger, who has previously had success in the Moto2 class, has found it difficult to adapt during his time as replacement rider, failing to score points in the 5 rounds he has contested.
Smith races for the SRT team under the One Energy Racing banner in the MotoE World Cup, he lies 2nd in the standings after the first 2 rounds of the season. He has already competed in 3 rounds of the MotoGP World Championship this season, for Aprilia, fulfilling his duties as their official test rider. Smith will make another 2 wildcard appearances before the end of the 2019 season.
Smith has enjoyed success at his home grand prix at Silverstone in the past. In 2010, he finished 3rd in the 125cc race, before going one better in the 2011 Moto2 #BritishGP, finishing 2nd. Smith qualified 8th on the grid for the 2018 #BritishGP aboard his KTM, the event was cancelled due to safety concerns over the track surface in wet conditions.
“Honestly, it’s going to be quite strange to jump onto the Moto2 bike for the first time since 2012, because the championship has changed quite a lot.” said Smith, who has yet to ride a Moto2 motorcycle since to change to Triumph-powered machines, “I’ve followed the changes very closely with the new engine and a little more torque and power, but it’s still going to be very different for me. I’m excited for the opportunity though! I had a fantastic time last year at the British Grand Prix, qualified really well, and missed out being able to race into front of the fans, so to be able to turn up for my home race again will be amazing. My target for the weekend is to have fun, to do the best I can, and to come away on Sunday with something to be proud of. I’ve got no idea how it’ll work, having to learn a bike, a track and tyres on a normal GP weekend, but it’s something I’m very excited.”
