Crutchlow: Nothing discussed with Repsol Honda

Cal Crutchlow says he has not held any discussions about replacing Dani Pedrosa at the factory Honda team in 2019.

While reigning four-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez has already signed to remain at Repsol Honda until at least the end of 2020, Pedrosa's future is still to be decided.

In Qatar, Johann Zarco's manager confirmed factory interest from all of the leading manufacturers, including Honda.

However, Crutchlow's current HRC contract runs until the end of next season and he could, in theory, simply be moved across from LCR should a vacancy emerge…

During Thursday's official pre-event press conference in Argentina, the Englishman was asked if he should get the Repsol Honda chance if Pedrosa doesn’t renew.

"I don't know. I think first of all we have to give respect to the situation. It's Dani Pedrosa's job we are talking about and people speculating about this, I don't know how they would feel about people talking about their job," Crutchlow replied.

"But nothing has been discussed at all. In the end I ride for LCR Honda, my job is to do a great job for them, try to be as competitive and fast as I can. We are here to race for us, our sponsors and myself.

"I saw an article saying that I was 'gunning for Pedrosa's seat'. In the end, the only thing I'm doing is gunning to get a good result for my LCR Honda team.

"As I've said, it's [moving to Repsol Honda] not been mentioned and I've made not comment on it at all.

"The comment that I did make was with reference to Johann, which was if he got the [Repsol Honda] ride I didn't think the bike would suit his style as much as what he is riding now [Yamaha]. But that's my opinion and I'm completely entitled to that.

"So as I said, I think we should respect the situation. Dani is a fantastic rider and has been riding very, very well in this [Repsol Honda] team for many years. We continue to work as hard as we can and we'll see what happens."

Crutchlow's most recent podium came at last season's Termas de Rio Hondo race and he returns having been fourth and the top satellite rider in Qatar.

"I think we did a good job as a team and manufacturer in Qatar because historically it seems that Qatar has been a difficult circuit for the Honda, but they worked very well in winter as we know and we were a lot more competitive this year," he said.

"Also our team and me, I felt good with the bike and tyres and was able to be competitive with the front guys. It was a shame we were not able to battle for the podium in the end, but now we come to Argentina a circuit that has been good to me.

"The first year here I didn’t race because of a broken hand. After that I seem to have had a good run of results, not through any specific reason I think. The track doesn't really suit my style or anything like that, I just seem to go well here. There's always a great atmosphere but also a lot of riders that are able to be competitive.

"I would say that there are ten guys again that are able to be on the podium this weekend."

Staying at Repsol Honda still seems the most likely outcome for Pedrosa, who has won at least one race in every season since 2006 and is seen as the best possible team-mate for Marquez.

Zarco meanwhile has interest from Honda, Suzuki and - to a lesser extent - Ducati, but many believe KTM is still the favourite to secure his services. There seems to be little chance that Zarco will opt to remain at Yamaha, via the new to-be-announced satellite team.