Cal Crutchlow, essential driver of the championship MotoGP, decided to retire at the end of 2020. Never again – unless there is a surprise return – we will see the brave Briton on the world circuits.
No. 35 leaves a trace, something. Despite good statistics in Grands Prix, he will be remembered more for his outspokenness, his personality, his charisma. It's not any worse, and it's perhaps the most important thing in the end.
Cal was a special pilot. As Jack Miller ou
Pol Espargaro, they are necessary for the sustainability of an event of this scale. They are dissidents, do not hesitate to say what they think, whether it is relevant or not. At the end of the day, they are the ones who maintain a passion and interest in any sport.
No, not all captions have to be smooth, insipid. There
DORN perfectly understood this dimension and contributed greatly to the emergence of new rivalries. This relies first of all on strong personalities such as Valentino Rossi or Jorge Lorenzo. Similar drivers have always existed. Barry Sheene in his time was the archetypal "bad boy", so important to the development of the championship in the 1970s.
Two notable figures. Photo: Hubertdumaine
This duality must be found on the grid. There must be everything, from troublemakers to the most discreet. Of the Kevin Schwantz and Eddie lawson. There must be Pol Espargaro and John Zarco. Since the departure of Nico Rosberg at the end of 2016, this is exactly what Formula 1 has been missing. Even if the races are not close, a rivalry or more broadly strong characters are necessary for the “show”.
Back to Cal Crutchlow. He embodied this thorn in the side, this corrosive but often well thought out phrase that can come out at any time. This little provocation can reach the greatest pilots. But deep down, a driver with a big heart and always respectful on the track.
What was his dream at the start of his career, when with an inferior YZR M1, he reached the summits and managed to get onto the podium. A victory at this precise moment, in 2013 for example (undoubtedly one of its reference years) would have had a phenomenal impact.
With the introduction of the single ECU in 2016, the field has tightened considerably. Very well surrounded by LCR – Honda, he won three races, including two that same year. But what do the statistics matter? Crutchlow was more than a number, more than shiny metal.
This laughter is worth much more. This relationship with Colin Edwards or Jack Miller as well. The more people take up space when they are there, the bigger the gap when they leave. There will surely never be a “new Crutchlow”, just as there will never be a “new Rossi”. And that's okay. All are unique, all make us vibrate differently.
Thanks for the dream Cal.
So long
Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
