The talent-nurturing team harbouring Britain's next MotoGP star
Petronas SRT's bold promotion of Fabio Quartararo to MotoGP in 2019 paid off in a big way. That same team could just be the right environment to help Britain's Jake Dixon make the next step in Moto2 - and not a moment too soon
Britain faces a dearth of MotoGP-potential as 2020 reaches its halfway stage. But that's not exactly a new thing. The reality is, ever since production-based racing established itself as a more affordable means to lucrative career opportunity for British riders in the 1980s, the number of truly quality riders from this troubled island nation making it into the premier class has fallen away dramatically.
Given the UK used to absolutely own the grand prix paddock back in the 1950s, '60s and '70s thanks to the likes of Geoff Duke, John Surtees, Mike Hailwood and Barry Sheene - to name but a very few - it's a tough reality to get to grips with.
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Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.
While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.
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