Cal Crutchlow: 'The schedule will be mainly European based' for testing

Cal Crutchlow has begun work with Yamaha after getting his first experience of the new 2021 M1 at the Losail International Circuit as part of the MotoGP Shakedown test. 

Crutchlow will be joined on Saturday and Sunday by factory Monster Energy Yamaha pair Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo, along with Petronas Yamaha's Valentino Rossi and Franco Morbidelli. 

Yamaha's 2021 line-up includes four riders with varying riding styles, meaning Crutchlow will have a big role in developing the bike and helping to find a compromise that allows each rider to get the best from the M1. 

"You can always give information based on what you have ridden previously but what we are looking for is to try and improve what they have now," said Crutchlow.

"Obviously when you have four riders for a manufacturer they don’t always ride the same so you need to find some sort of compromise as a test rider as well to be able to help them all. Or if there is a specific thing they want testing then you work on that as well.

"I think one of the key areas to being a test rider is to work with the riders, work with the team and with the other crew and crew chiefs."

During his media session, Crutchlow was asked about which rider in the current Yamaha setup he thinks most reflects his riding style as well as Rossi's passion to keep racing. 

"When we start to ride and gather information then I will understand what rider I am closest to, or not. At the time it was Valentino (Crutchlow's first Yamaha stint), but that was at the time when Jorge was there etc," said Crutchlow.

"As a person Valentino is a good person and for what he has done in his career, how hard he has worked and his ambition to continue, his desire to continue is very good.

"Valentino could have retired twenty years ago and lived his life being comfortable. He doesn’t need to do it but he does. That’s what I loved about Nicky Hayden: he was exactly the same he just wanted to continue to race because he loved it. Valentino’s passion for racing always amazes me. To always want to come back and give his all."