What's the difference between a replacement rider and a wild card rider in motogp?

Question

i'm referring of course to Roger Lee Hayden. He was a wild card rider for Kawasaki. But I think Chaz Davies was referred to as a replacement rider for Tony Elias. what's the difference?

Answer 1

A replacement rider is just that. When a rider gets injured or is incapable of racing, the rider who gets to ride in place of him is the replacement rider.

A Wildcard is a rider who has been given an opportunity to ride one off races , but not at the expense of another rider. Usually teams prepare and field an extra bike for them.

Usually home riders who are very promising and upcoming tend to get wildcard riders.

Answer 2

Correctly said.

Hayden's ride was a reward for doing well.

Chaz's ride was a replacement but not for Elias [that was D'uhamel] He was sitting in for Alex Hoffman.

Hayden did really well, top American, I was really hoping that D'uhamel was going to do well, but never mind.

Answer 3

sounds about right to me what Abhi said - I think the wild card is a carrot for riders who have been doing well in other series, and a way for the team to try out people they've had their eye on (or reward them for long service -  is Duhammel the guy I'm thinking of?)