Cal Crutchlow believes MotoGP is moving in the right direction under Liberty Media, despite riders objecting to some of the changes being introduced. Liberty Media bought the championship for €4.2 billion in 2024 and has since increased promotional engagements while steering the series towards new ways of developing its profile.

One of the main disputes concerns the 2027 format, which is expected to include sprint qualifying sessions. Riders have also challenged a new set of penalties linked to missing promotional events during race weekends. Crutchlow acknowledges that the workload and extra obligations push riders close to their limits, but argues that MotoGP is simultaneously a business, a sport and entertainment. In his view, riders know what these demands involve when they sign their contracts.

The 40-year-old Crutchlow retired in 2020, then made a brief return in 2026 to replace the injured Johann Zarco at LCR Honda. He also believes the championship needs more distinctive personalities. Crutchlow feels that many riders behave in similar ways away from the circuit and that genuine rivalry is missing, weakening some of the individuality that makes a racing series connect with its audience.

For Crutchlow, Pedro Acosta represents the kind of different personality MotoGP needs. He praises the KTM rider for repeatedly pushing to the limit and performing strongly, while consistently standing out as the best of KTM’s riders. At the same time, Crutchlow says Acosta’s true level has not yet been fully established because he has not had a particularly strong MotoGP teammate. Even so, he sees an exceptional talent with everything required to become a great rider, as well as the personality that the championship, the sport and its manufacturers need.