Yamaha is working to keep close to its ace Fabio Quartararo. Meanwhile, tester Cal Crutchlow says that…
In MotoGP the role of the tester is assuming more and more importance. It is the pilot who drives the process evolution of a motorcycle, therefore the one on which the functioning or otherwise of a vehicle depends. Of course it must to adapt also to the official riders, but the tester takes care of the ‘dirty work‘ precisely for the guys called on to take a MotoGP bike to victory. One of them is Cal Crutchlow, fresh from retirement but very active for Yamaha, even more than expected. But that might not be a bad thing, given that the Iwata house has made certain promises to its protégé Fabio Quartararo…
Racing tester
Cal Crutchlow he stepped down as a full-time driver at the end of 2020. A difficult last season in the colours LCR Hondafinally preferring to accept the role of test driver offered to him by Yamaha. It certainly doesn’t have the same commitments as before at a world level, but it’s still not one stroll. In addition to the fact that in these last two seasons the “withdraw” that was just an understatement. In 2021 you competed four GPsfirst as an injured substitute Franco Morbidelli and then instead of Maverick Vinalesafoot after the ‘nasty business‘ at the Red Bull Ring. This year, however, the GPs disputed were six, or rather the last part of the season after the premature retirement of Andrea Dovizioso. A role from ‘racing test driver‘, since he didn’t even perform badly for a pilot not anymore busy full time. Better sure than Jonas Folger (but let’s remember the long break due to health problems) or of Jorge Lorenzowhose Yamaha tester agreement lasted very little.
Yamaha choice
Cal Crutchlow gave his opinion. “I’ve always had the ability to ‘to feel‘ things faster” said the British driver in an interview with Autosport. “Many need a whole day, but I can provide the same information in very short time. I think that’s why Yamaha chose me.” He has a shoulder on his shoulders weight not indifferent, especially after this 2022 MotoGP season. Yamaha had to make certain promises to hold on to his winning ace, but now he has to keep them. And Crutchlow also admits that “Fabio [Quartararo] he won with a bike that wasn’t the best.” Thus underlining once more the Frenchman’s talent, as well as emphasizing the weight of work in Yamaha. “If the parts don’t work, there is little I can do and that makes the job more difficult” concluded the Yamaha tester.
