Every sport, every discipline, every specialty has its giants. Respected men, sometimes elevated to the rank of God. The divine comparison is easy, since these athletes, cooks, craftsmen and all that follows seem to benefit from superior grace even before birth. Here, we will be talking about motorcycle Grand Prix. The question of the best driver of all time is certainly futile, but devilishly interesting. And Eddie Lawson has his say. Analysis.
We all agree: comparing eras is meaningless. Nobody can imagine Valentino Rossi on the MV Agusta of Giacomo Agostini, much more bestial, natural and simple than the YZR-M1. The opposite is also true. Mike Hailwood, as it is, could not pilot the current machines. Let us free ourselves from time barriers for the time of an article. Which rider has most dazzled you on the handlebars? It's about feelings before statistics. Valentino Rossi, Marc Márquez and Jorge Lorenzo come to mind. However, one sacred monster is far too often left out of the debate.
Eddie lawson. The American, with his discreet – not to say shy – character, often goes off the radar when THE question is mentioned. But are you able to name a more lethal, precise, surgical driver in his time? Not sure. A quick reminder of the facts. Eddie arrived in the world championship in 1983, a glorious era. Roberts, who has just written a page of the story, leaves his pen to Lawson. Immediately, the microcosm discovers a sensational rider, of unparalleled cleanliness. Jorge Lorenzo before Jorge Lorenzo, with the two-stroke in addition and the electronics in less.
Eddie Lawson at Yamaha, it was lethal.
Eddie stands out from his compatriots. While Randy Mamola puts on a show on and off the track, "Steady" - for "the stable" - piles up the trophies without making a single mistake. Once the helmet comes off, it's his sensitivity and shyness that speak for him. Like Jim Clark in Formula 1, Lawson is not cut out for the media world.. Like the Scotsman, it fell on him. A chosen one if you prefer.
A gift is cultivated. Thus, the Californian works constantly to improve his performance and increase his lethality. In 1984, he became 500cc world champion for the first time, on a Yamaha. Certainly the best rider in the world at that particularly competitive time. Mamola, Gardner, Uncini, Spencer, Schwantz and Doohan all finished behind Eddie. Two more titles followed, in 1986 and 1988.
Making the decision to leave the Yamaha cocoon, Eddie must deal with Erv Kanemoto and Honda for 1989. That year, he recited his most beautiful poem to us.. Thanks to his racing experience, he defied the odds and beat Wayne Rainey, one of his "children". This fourth world title marked the end of the Lawson dynasty. A nasty injury in early 1990 put an end to the genius's hopes. Cagiva decided to employ him in 1991, as a last resort. Once again, wisdom and intelligence bore fruit. He joined the very exclusive club of Grand Prix winners on three different machines in Hungary a year later.
Eddie Lawson at Honda in 1989, Blue Dead Redemption.
Is he the best driver of all time? Nobody knows.. The fact that the question is asked is already revealing. Or should I rather formulate it differently. Given equal climatic conditions and randomly selected motorcycles, which do you choose, in the history of Grand Prix, to win a sixteen-race championship?
You need a rider with a steely mind, lots of experience, strong in the pack, adaptable to any mount and who has proven himself in the full sun as well as in the wet. Look no further, he's your man.
Do you have any memories of Eddie Lawson? Tell me in the comments!
very strong on three different machines, four titles in 500cc… what are you waiting for to add him to your top 5?
