Image: Supplied.

A Motegi MotoGP wildcard has been confirmed for Cal Crutchlow this year, with the British rider to compete with a special livery Yamalube RS4GP Racing Team YZR-M1 later in the season in Japan.

Crutchlow, the official Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Test Team rider, will spearhead the outfit in a one-off entry at the 14th round of the 2023 world championship, set to take place between 29 September and 1 October.

“I’m happy to have the chance to race at Motegi with the Yamalube RS4GP Racing Team,” said Crutchlow. “As Yamaha’s Official Test Rider, I do all I can to help develop the M1.

“The GP in Japan is a good opportunity to test prototype items in a race setting. I look forward to working with the Yamalube RS4GP Racing Team, starting with the upcoming test in August. I‘m sure we‘ll have a great time together. We will work hard to collect as much valuable information for Yamaha as possible.”

YMC MotoGP project leader Kazutoshi Seki added: ” I believe this wildcard will be a significant turning point to improve the performance of the YZR-M1. The engineers are working very hard, and Cal‘s participation in the Japanese GP benefits the improvement of the YZR-M1 for the factory team – not only for this season but also for the next.”

Crutchlow’s participation in the 2023 Japanese GP marks his first Yamaha wildcard experience since he started riding for the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Team in 2021. He did contest in 10 GPs over the course of 2021-2022 as a replacement rider.