Tom Lüthi: Why he returned to the paddock despite being tired of travelling

Switzerland has produced some big names in motorbike racing. Luigi Taveri won the World Championship title in the 125cc class in 1962, 1964 and 1966. Stefan Dörflinger was crowned world champion four times in the 50cc and 80cc classes. In sidecar racing, Rolf Biland set new standards with seven world championship titles and 81 Grand Prix victories.

Thomas Lüthi also belongs in this illustrious line-up. In 2005, he became 125cc world champion on a Honda, edging out Finland’s Mika Kallio on a KTM by a five-point margin. Later, the Bern native enjoyed particular success in Moto2. When he brought his GP career to a close in Valencia in 2021, his record stood at a total of 17 wins and 65 podium finishes. He secured his final victory in 2019 in Austin, ahead of his then Intact GP team-mate Marcel Schrötter.

Why Lüthi returned to the paddock

After almost two decades in Grand Prix racing, Lüthi had had enough of the constant travelling. In 2023, he returned to the paddock to take on a role with the Prüstl team, but was not happy there. In 2025, he accepted an offer from Intact GP. What does he do now in Jürgen Lingg’s team?

Tom Lüthi mit Moto2-WM-Leader Manuel Gonzalez

Foto: Waldemar da Rin

“I’m the riders’ coach – not a riding coach, which isn’t the same thing – so I’m responsible for the riders. I act as a link between the riders and the crew chiefs. I try to streamline processes, speed up communication and save time. But I’m also out on the track watching the riders. When I see how the motorbikes are behaving, I discuss it with the crew chief. If I see that a rider needs to make a change to their riding style, I discuss it with them personally. Naturally, I’m also involved in strategic and tactical matters. I’m actually involved in everything that affects the riders,’ explained Lüthi.

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After his last race in 2021, Lüthi wanted to turn his back on the day-to-day life of Grand Prix racing for good. He recalled this during the interview: “Yes, actually, I did. But the offer from Intact, with a role where I can work freely with the riders, is what simply appealed to me,” explained the Swiss rider.

What works better at Intact than at Prüstel

His experience at Prüstl had initially made him cautious. However, Lüthi emphasised that the two roles were not comparable: “I was in a completely different position there and didn’t have the freedom I have now. I was squeezed into a role under Florian there, where I was expected to do everything but wasn’t given the tools to do so. Sorry, but that’s just not on. That wasn’t fair of Prüstl towards me. So I said: ‘There’s no way I’m doing that.’ At Intact, it’s completely different from a sporting perspective. I can work with the riders without any barriers and, as you can see for yourself, it’s not going too badly at all,” he added with a laugh.

Tom Lüthi bei der Arbeit

Foto: Waldemar da Rin

He enjoys the job. However, his previous weariness with travelling hasn’t gone away because of it. He certainly wasn’t bored at home: “No, not at all. Sure, I’d had enough of all the travelling, but as I said, the role at Intact really did appeal to me. I do admit, though, that all the travelling – and above all, being away from home for so long – tires me out. One day I’ll definitely have to cut back because of it,” said Lüthi.

Lüthi also kept very busy at home

Back home in Linden, he was also busy renovating his parents’ house. The fact that he worked with machinery and diggers himself came as a surprise to some. Lüthi took it in his stride: “A lot of people don’t know that. Yes, I did a lot of it myself – nobody believes me, and you’re laughing too. Especially, of course, the demolition with the machinery and diggers. The excavation – though there wasn’t that much of it – I did myself. I helped out with the groundwork as much as I could. Of course, I’d hired tradespeople for a lot of it – after all, I was away a lot. But in between, I also lent a hand, watched what was going on, and could now do this or that myself. Obviously I can’t build a house, but I learnt a great deal in the process. The whole project took about two and a half years. I also bought and renovated the house next door. But it’s true, my parents now live down in the village,” he said with a laugh.

There’s a Moto2 Suter in the house. Anyone hoping for a rideable memento from Lüthi’s career will be disappointed, though. “No, unfortunately not. It’s a Suter with an empty engine casing. It’s actually a show bike that was put together from crash parts. It’s a shame – that’s the only thing I own. I’ve never been given anything either; not even the World Champion’s bike is at my home. That really is a shame,” Lüthi lamented.

Team boss Jürgen Lingg is delighted to have Lüthi back on board. Why did he choose the former world champion? “Because there’s no one better who suits us. He has a wealth of experience and knows what this business is all about. Perhaps he’ll be able to give the riders what he himself sometimes lacked during his career. Another point in his favour: he’s been on the podium more often than our two riders put together,” said Lingg with a smile.