Cal Crutchlow wrapped up Yamaha’s private MotoGP test at the Mobility Resort Motegi riding the YAMALUBE RS4GP Racing Team YZR-M1.
Yamaha test rider Cal Crutchlow has finished a private test at Motegi, the track where he will race as a wild-card entry in the Japanese MotoGP, which is held at the factory’s home track.
The Englishman, who serves as Yamaha’s official MotoGP test rider, also made an appearance wearing the identical YAMALUBE RS4GP Racing Team livery that he will wear during the 29th September -1st October event.
The YAMALUBE RS4GP Racing Team took its initial steps toward its goal of accelerating bike development at the test. Additionally, it was Crutchlow’s first chance to showcase his new racing outfit, which matches the branding of the high-performance motor oil YAMALUBE RS4GP, as well as the unique bike livery of the YAMALUBE RS4GP Racing Team.
The event heightens anticipation for the Grand Prix of Japan, which will take place from September 29 through October 1, 2023.
Yamaha MotoGP Project chief Kazutoshi Seki earlier made significant declarations about the relevance of Crutchlow’s wild-card appearance, saying: “I believe this will be a significant turning point to improve the performance of the YZR-M1.
“The engineers are working very hard, and Cal‘s participation in the Japanese GP benefits the improvement of the YZR-M1 for the factory team – not only for this season but also for the next.”
The schedule for Crutchlow’s most recent test was kept under wraps by Yamaha, who only revealed that the YAMALUBE RS4GP Racing Team has taken the first steps in boosting bike development.
However, Monster Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo downplayed the likelihood that the wild-card appearance alone would lead to a major leap forward.
Last weekend, Quartararo and teammate Franco Morbidelli homologated a new fairing design at Silverstone, and the Frenchman plans to continue working with it at the Red Bull Ring.
In his full-time career, Crutchlow has claimed three MotoGP race victories with Honda, and he participated in the final six races of the previous season at RNF Yamaha as Andrea Dovizioso’s replacement.
