MotoGP: Thomas Lüthi, for so long

He is not a popular driver, but Thomas Lüthi is continuing his progress in the world. Believe it or not, the Swiss has one of the longest runs in history, chatting with Jack Findlay and Ángel Nieto. Since 2002, Tom has been roaming the circuits in search of success. Let's look back at a career now well underway, which leaves a bitter aftertaste.

Born in the canton of Bern in 1986, little Thomas instantly became passionate about pocket bikes. Make no mistake, despite the absence of an FIA/FIM circuit in the country, Switzerland nonetheless remains a major motorsport country.

The Helvetian is transformed into a winning machine on small bikes. In 2002, Tom placed admirably well in the German and European championships. Thus, he is invited to participate in a few 125cc wildcards.

The team Elite Grand Prix sets his sights on the rising star. You know the team better as Grand Prix Paddock (which also runs under the name Emmi Caffe Latte ou Interwetten), the one which hosted the Swiss for 13 consecutive years.

The sauce didn't take off immediately, but in 2005, something clicked that changed young Tom's life. Equipped with a Honda RS125R less efficient, he started to play for victory every weekend. He emerged victorious from a legendary confrontation with Mika Kallio and grabs the 125cc world title.

History is in progress. Unfortunately, the absence of good offers in Moto2 pushed him to make an extremely rare decision in the history of modern Grands Prix: Put his 125cc title back on the line.

 

 

This time he can't fight Alvaro Bautista and even fell to eighth place in the championship. The rise to 250cc is still planned, still at Paddock GP. Lüthi is capable of good performances, but he lacks consistency. A trait that will continue him until 2021.

In 2010, Moto2 makes its appearance in place of the 250cc. The standardized Honda 600cc engines therefore allow competitors to fight on equal terms. The first season in the history of the category is interesting because it highlights a host of chassis. Making the right choice is crucial.

Paddock opts for the Moriwaki, which turns out to be a good pick. The Japanese unit will be titled at the end of the year thanks to the efforts of Toni Elias, former Grand Prix winner. Lüthi concludes the year in fourth position but still without a victory in the intermediate category.

The change for Suter turns out to be an even better decision. The 2011 to 2017 seasons are strangely similar. Lüthi is able to win races, like at Le Mans, his favorite circuit, but also to fall to the bottom of the rankings two weeks later.

Thus, he is always in the group of favorites but he never manages to really worry the world champion. “ This year is the right one » is a refrain often heard about the Swiss pilot. In the end, this title never came.

Double vice-world champion 2016-2017, he cannot play with Johann zarco ou Franco Morbidelli. Disillusionment upon disillusionment. Slowly but surely, Tom began his 17th season in 2018, a year like no other.

At 31, his dream finally came true. He is involved in MotoGP for one year with the team EG 0,0 Marc VDS. After so many years on the same cylinders, we could expect a difficult acclimatization. But not as much.

The 2018 financial year is a real nightmare. 0 points scored, last place in the ranking. Meanwhile, his teammate Franco Morbidelli achieved an honest performance in 15th place, accompanied by the rookie of the year trophy.

 

 

The cold shower forced Lüthi to go back down to Moto2, at Dynavolt Intact GP, for 2019. Again. Surprisingly, he had his best career season but couldn't do anything against Alex Marquez and Brad Binder. Thomas has resolved his consistency issues but is not winning enough races to be a candidate for the crown.

It is only in 2020 that Lüthi marks time. Since last year, it seems that the Swiss is at the end of his race. We must not forget that lasting such a long career, especially when one has been exposed to injuries, is a remarkable achievement. Maybe this is his last year in the world, 19 after the first. At any rate, Lüthi will deserve a nice tribute when he announces his retirement.

 

Cover photo: Sascha Wenninger