Bradl, on Lorenzo and social networks: "It's stupid"

In recent months, Jorge Lorenzo has become somewhat unpopular with some MotoGP riders. Since his retirement from competition, the Spaniard has frequently posted content on his social media profiles, where he often expresses his opinion. In addition, Spanish is not very likely to bite his tongue when trying to talk about his former classmates.

A controversial moment was when Lorenzo publicly criticized Cal Crutchlow following Yamaha ‘s decision to fire him and sign the Briton as a test rider after less than a year in the role. The #99 scoffed at the Coventry driver when the announcement was made and didn’t think twice about making a comment when the #35 ended up in the gravel for the first time during the Qatar test.

Honda test driver Stefan Bradl has a clear opinion on Lorenzo’s behavior on social media: “It’s stupid to do something like that publicly,” Bradl told Motorsport.com. “I don’t understand Jorge Lorenzo.”

Stefan Bradl replacing Marc Márquez in the Repsol Honda Team

Since leaving MotoGP, Lorenzo has regularly shared photos of his daily life and of his sports cars. In addition, the five-time world champion is trying to attract fans to his YouTube channel, 99 seconds , with his own analysis videos.

“He enjoys life to the fullest on social networks and lives it to the fullest. I see what he does and I follow him on Instagram . I find what he does fun and interesting. But I wouldn’t do it that way,” clarifies the Moto2 champion in 2011.

The harshness of some comments on social networks has recently motivated the distancing of some pilots. Maverick Viñales deleted his Twitter account , while Jack Miller said he will stop managing his content and will put it in the hands of his team to stop being distracted.

Are Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and other social networks a distraction for pilots?

Bradl, on the other hand, if he personally runs his social media channels: “I take care of my account myself, but I know that many pilots no longer do it themselves and leave it in the hands of professionals, which certainly makes sense”, Explain.

“Life on social networks must be handled with tact. Either they applaud you like a king and you are in a cloud or they send you to the mud. In my opinion, there is a lack of balance,” he laments.

Stefan Bradl, in the last Spanish GP

“In my normal life I’m not addicted to social media, which makes me very happy,” says the HRC test driver. “But I am aware that he is part of the current generation. I think it is best to approach it sensibly.”

However, some behaviors on social networks do not like Bradl. “The fear of contact is lost and also the respect when people make blind comments, whether positive or negative. Sometimes a little more respect for others would be convenient,” the German settles.

Riders who were recycled as MotoGP testers

Casey Stoner – Honda and Ducati

1 / 14

After his premature retirement, the two-time MotoGP champion worked as a tester first for Honda and later for Ducati.

Photo by: Ducati Corse

Dani Pedrosa – KTM

2 / 14

After a lifetime linked to Honda, when he left the competition he accepted KTM’s proposal to be their tester.

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Randy de Puniet – Suzuki and KTM

3 / 14

After a brief stint in WorldSBK, the Frenchman was one of those in charge of leading the development of Suzuki and KTM on his return to MotoGP.

Photo by: KTM

Stefan Bradl – Honda

4 / 14

Honda relies on the former Moto2 champion to develop the RC213V.

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Bradley Smith – Aprilia

5 / 14

Smith combines his participation in MotoE with his work as an Aprilia tester since 2019.

Photo by: Miquel Liso

Jonas Folger – Yamaha

6 / 14

Gilbert’s Syndrome forced Jonas Folger to temporarily withdraw from competition. After recovering, he accepted the proposal to be a Yamaha tester.

Photo by: Miquel Liso

Sylvain Guintoli – Suzuki

7 / 14

The former WorldSBK champion has been one of Suzuki’s testers since leaving the series-derived motorcycle championship.

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Michele Pirro – Ducati

8 / 14

The Italian competes in the CIV Superbike, has some wild cards in MotoGP and is the Ducati tester.

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Hiroshi Aoyama – Honda

9 / 14

In his last years as a pilot, Aoyama worked as a tester for Honda.

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Mika Kallio – KTM

10 / 14

Together with Dani Pedrosa, Kallio forms a luxury test team for KTM, also competing in several grand prix events each year.

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Nobuatsu Aoki – Suzuki

11 / 14

The former rider has been part of the Suzuki test team for years after leaving racing.

Photo by: Suzuki MotoGP

Franco Battaini – Ducati

12 / 14

The Italian veteran led the development of the Ducati at the beginning of this decade.

Photo by: Ducati Corse

Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha

13 / 14

Everything seemed to be a happy reunion between a team and driver who achieved glory together. Even Lorenzo was going to contest a race as a Wildcard. However, the coronavirus changed all the plans and there were few times in which the Mallorcan got on the bike, with discreet times.

Photo by: MotoGP

Cal Crutchlow – Yamaha

14/14

Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images