CAL CRUTCHLOW STILL REMEMBERS JACK MILLER’S 2015 BRITISH GP INCIDENT

Cal Crutchlow is heading back to Silverstone this weekend with a familiar mix of motivation and unfinished business. The 40-year-old LCR Honda rider is set to return to the British Grand Prix paddock for the first time since stepping in for Maverick Viñales at the factory Yamaha team in 2021, and he will also be racing at his home circuit for the first time since Johann Zarco’s injury forced him into the role of replacement. Crutchlow is currently competing in place of the injury-stricken Frenchman and is hoping to be back in action in September, but for now his focus is on making the most of his time at Silverstone.

Crutchlow’s connection to the venue runs deep. During his years as a full-time rider, he recorded standout results at his home race, including a second place in 2016 and a fourth in 2017. Yet when he looks back at Silverstone, the moment that still lingers most strongly is from the 2015 British Grand Prix—an incident he continues to describe as something he hasn’t fully gotten over.

In a video posted to the official MotoGP website, Crutchlow reflected on what makes Silverstone special and why it so often delivers close racing. “Normally, it’s a close race at Silverstone. You know, I don’t know why fast circuits always seem to produce great racing,” he said. From there, he walked through his best memories, calling 2016 his “highlight” after a strong season, and adding that 2017 was also a good year even though he was “really disappointed not to be on the podium.”

But the story he returns to again and again is the 2015 race. Crutchlow explained that, with rain shaping the event, he felt he had the pace to win. “The one that stands out was 2015. I really thought, with the rain race, I was going so well in the rain that year that I thought I could win, and then Jack took me out,” he said.

That “Jack” was Jack Miller, who at the time was in his rookie season and sharing a garage with Crutchlow at LCR. As Miller tried to defend from Pol Espargaró, he collided with the back of his teammate, bringing both riders’ races to an early end. Crutchlow later confirmed that while he accepted Miller’s apology, the disappointment from losing a race he believed he could win still remains.

Speaking to the press after the event, Crutchlow said he was “really disappointed” because they “could have done a great race,” adding that he felt he had the speed to be with the winner. He also explained the context of the moment: “I felt really comfortable this morning in the rain and I felt really comfortable in the race, but these things happen. Jack is young; he was near the front in a MotoGP race and made an ambitious move. He made a mistake, he apologised, and I have accepted his apology. I’ve done it before, and I’m sure I will do it again—this is racing, but obviously I was very disappointed.”

For Crutchlow, then, Silverstone is both a place of past success and a reminder of a painful turning point—one he may have moved past in terms of forgiveness, but not in terms of the memory.