This is a project that has every chance of succeeding at Yamaha. The brand will thus have a new test driver in 2021 in place of Jorge Lorenzo who is no longer judged to be in the game or focused on his task. The successor will be called Cal Crutchlow, who has seen other motorcycles in addition to the M1. Basically, it is therefore a good choice. The Englishman is also a character with his outspokenness. In terms of form, is the option wise? On the first aspect, Quartararo gives his assessment. On the second, it’s Viñales who talks about it…
The titular pilots Yamaha are therefore preparing to receive reinforcements from Cal Crutchlow in 2021. The Englishman will leave his status as starting driver at the end of this year at the same time as his Honda LCR. He will embark on a new mission with a motorcycle that he has already ridden in the past. That being said, Cal Crutchlow arrives at Yamaha at a sensitive time, where many questions are unanswered. The brand was even penalized for the unfortunate handling of an engine problem which put it in violation of the regulations. A technical problem which, by the way, continues.
The Briton will therefore have work to do. And with his strong character, Japanese engineers can start to tremble... fabio quartararo gave his opinion on this future new recruit: “ I think it could be very important for us to have a test pilot like Crutchlow. It's something we're missing at the moment.. He's ridden with Honda, Yamaha and Ducati, so it could be a great opportunity for us and I hope they can take him with us ».
That's the bottom line. But there is also the form, and Maverick Vinales is delighted with this project above all for this aspect: “ having Cal with us would be very important because he is a genuine person, who tells you to your face when things are not going well and that could be useful for Yamaha. In my opinion, it could help us improve a lot ". This is what promises during the debriefings…
Quartararo reaches out to Viñales
That being said, the two future teammates will also count on their understanding to move the M1 project forward in the right direction: “ there are issues that we have been carrying for years, then we need to understand, explore new areas, work, but it will definitely not be easy. Unfortunately we can't touch the engine and that would help us a lot, but there are some areas we can work on ».
In echo, fabio quartararo adds: “ I said last year's bike had some positive aspects and I think bringing some aspects of the 1 M2019 to the 2021 one can be positive. I haven't spoken to Maverick yet. I think we have very similar problems, so it will be nice to see us together next year and I think if we change some things we can improve. I don't know if Suzuki is the best bike right now, but it's definitely the one to beat right now. In any case, Yamaha has won 6 races so we have great potential ».
It will be recalled that among these 6 successes, no less than 5 were won under the colors Petronas, and only one under the official banner Yamaha . The same one that the Frenchman joins when leaving the first city...
