John McPhee pens new Petronas Sprinta deal, set for his ninth season in Moto3
Petronas Sprinta Racing has announced it has re-signed John McPhee for the 2021 Moto3 World Championship, a deal that will see him lining up on its grid for a ninth season in succession.
The Scotsman made his 125cc debut in Valencia way back in 2010 in a one-off outing that saw him sharing track space with the likes of Pol Espargaro and even Marc Marquez, though it wasn’t until 2012 until he moved up full-time.
Since then McPhee has steadily made the most of those extra years in experience relative to his rivals, the 26-year old heading for what looks set to be his best season yet in 2020.
Notching up a third career Moto3 win in Misano, three further podiums did see McPhee dicing just a few digits off the top of the standings at one stage, but two DNFs in the last three races - which puts him 36 points down on Albert Arenas - has stuttered that momentum.
Indeed, many expected the form to book his passage into Moto2 for 2021, but with the team sticking with Xavi Vierge and the in-form Jake Dixon for another year, McPhee decided staying with Petronas Sprinta in Moto3 was preferable to swapping teams for a Moto2 seat.
"I’m really happy to re-sign with the team for 2021,” he said. “We still have a few races now to finish off this season and we’re in a great position to continue fighting for the championship.
“For me, it’s really important to continue with the same crew, people that I know and where I’m feeling comfortable on and off track. The aim for next year will be to again be consistently in the top three and fighting for the championship," said the Scottish rider.
"I’m really looking forward to the year ahead, but let’s focus on this season and get that completed first! I want to say a big thank you to the team and partners for all the support they have given me. Now let’s see what we can do in these final races of the 2020 season."
McPhee will be joined on the Honda by new team-mate Darryn Binder, who steps over to Petronas Sprinta following his race-winning turn on the CIP Green Power KTM
