It is an approach which has allowed the world of Grands Prix to do its duty of memory, to respect its history, which has only strengthened its legitimacy in the firmament of motor sports. Which ? It is about this desire not to forget its former champions, recalled to be honored as legends or to play a special role in the organization. The opportunity to acculturate and evaluate the path traveled. Among these “wise” people who have not always been wise, there is a Freddie Spencer who gives his opinion between yesterday and today…
Freddie spencer, in the history of Grands Prix, has a particularity that no one has since equaled: he is the last to have won the race in the 250 cm³ and 500 cm³ categories in the same day and to be world champion in these two categories in the same season. An exploit now prohibited by a regulation which prohibits several starts in the same meeting...
The one we nicknamed “ Fast Freddie » is now an official who, in 2019, was responsible for distributing sanctions. Which caused him to be roundly criticized by Cal Crutchlow about an early departure. But the American didn't take offense. He even highlights this event to develop this certainty: “ the reality is that racing drivers are racing drivers. Little has changed in terms of spirit, motivation and determination “, explains the now retired 58-year-old. “ Sure, the level of publicity they're exposed to has certainly increased, but otherwise it's not that different from the past. »
He insists on the new expanded television coverage which not only gives “ a wonderful insight » to the fans, but “ it also provides us with tools that help us in a number of situations, for example when it comes to knowing whether limits have been exceeded. » The race is run much more professionally today, leading Freddie to comment that “ the competition is probably at its peak. This makes it all the more exciting to get involved with. Our job is to create the best possible conditions for drivers so they can do theirs. »
On his meteoric career which peaked in 1985, before dying out, he adds on Motorsport-total : " I'm one of those people who believes that everything happens for a reason. You were born to do certain things here on earth ", Explain Spencer, who graced 72 starts and won three world titles in total.
« Of course, there's always the question of "what if?" ". I have been asked several times if I would have had a longer career if I had not competed in both championships at the same time he said, reflecting on his successful double start on the Honda NSR 250 and Honda NSR 500 in 1985. After that, Spencer never won a Grand Prix again, also due to wrist injuries, which some explain by the physical effort required by managing two championships in one season.
« My body just couldn't do it anymore. But the chance to be a part of it at that time was priceless. We learned in development at the time, we continued to work with Honda for a long time » finishes Freddie who regrets nothing.
