Crutchlow is making a one-off MotoGP appearance this weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix for Yamaha in order to evaluate a raft of items to aid 2024 development.
Due to the regulations, Crutchlow is not allowed to test the 2024 engine prototype that was brought to the Misano test and which Fabio Quartararo said he “expected much better” from.
Top speed has been a continual complaint from Yamaha riders, but Crutchlow believes more power is not what the M1 needs.
Instead, development must focus on having a smoother power delivery, which he thinks will improve the Yamaha’s lack of rear grip and improve its top speed.
“It’s all down to the engine,” Crutchlow said on Friday after finishing practice 16th.
“We have the riders asking more power and we don’t need more power, we need a smoother engine.
“This is the biggest problem. Let’s say we have 300 horsepower… let’s say all the bikes have 300 horsepower. On the exit of any corner, you don’t use 300 horsepower – you use 200 horsepower.
“If you want more power, you can turn the power up. So, turn the power up and then you don’t exit the corner [well].
“It’s a matter of needing a smooth engine, because the engine is not smooth. These riders are asking for more power and we don’t need more power – we need less power.
Source: Autosport