Former MotoGP racer and new Yamaha test rider Cal Crutchlow discussed their need for speed with Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes F1), Jamie Chadwick (Williams development driver) and Mark Cavendish (cyclist).
For Crutchlow, it is the acceleration of a MotoGP motorcycle that gives the system the biggest shock and not the top speed, with the exception of Mugello.
“MotoGP is getting faster and faster every year, which is great in some ways because everyone wants to get down the straight as fast as possible because it’s the easiest time anyone can think of,” said Crutchlow.
“I didn’t drive from the last race [of 2020] to Qatar which lasted two and a half months and the first lap you go out feels like you’re on a roller coaster. You know that shock when you ride a roller coaster and the G-forces hit you. But two laps later you don’t feel anything. It feels normal.
“It’s about the brain revving up. So when your brain revving up those first few laps, it’s the acceleration that really gets you going, but when you’re going 350 km an hour on the straight it doesn’t seem like anything else can be seen up to 150 km / h.
“There is only one place where you can get a sense of reality and that is the end of the street in Mugello.
On the subject of matching items
“I know that Valtteri made it in Formula 1 last year. You come across a blind coat of arms with a left bend and we drove almost 360 km / h two years ago. If four motorcycles are next to each other, you get a real one Sense of reality.
“You also go from the rear wheel and the wheelie over the ridge to the front wheel on the brakes at 340 km / h. But my thrill doesn’t seem to be the speed, although you and I don’t mind enjoying it on a certain level.”
Crutchlow added, “What I love about cycling is that it’s the opposite of what I’m doing. You do 30-35 km / h training, it’s a lot slower [than MotoGP]. So I don’t have any fast cars or racing bikes because I get these races and now I test them. I’m not really passionate about going really fast. “
On the subject of matching items
But for Crutchlow’s good friend Cavendish, whose daily task doesn’t involve gasoline, the tremendous speed boost a MotoGP bike provides was an unforgettable adrenaline experience.
“Sitting on the back of the two-seater Ducati with Randy Mamola was the best experience of my life,” said Cavendish.
“It’s the feeling in your stomach, like you’re standing on the edge of a tall building, or standing on the edge of something … that’s the best feeling in the world. It’s addicting.”
Although Crutchlow had retired from MotoGP at the end of last season, the three-time race winner was able to return to the grid as a wildcard or substitute rider for Yamaha in 2021.
“Everyone is building that you can get a wild card, but I retired for a reason because I didn’t want to race!” Said Crutchlow. “I’m still in the transition from being a full-time racing driver and I thought it would be good to keep driving and not sitting at home doing nothing.
“I’m allowed to drive MotoGP 25 days a year, I honestly don’t know if I race – but I’m the reserve driver, if someone gets injured and drives a normal year, yes, I will.” go racing at some point.
“But if I wanted to keep running I would have, so I’m not overly looking for a wild card, it just depends on how things go.”
“It’s so strange now that I have to help four riders who were my rivals. But it’s nice. I have Fabio Quartararo, Maverick Vinales and Franco Morbidelli who are the younger ones, and then Valentino as the oldest in MotoGP most experience.
“They’re all fun to talk to, and fun to help them improve. I just need them to ride my bike more now!”
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