Tom Lüthi is confident: “Switzerland will produce GP riders again”

There’s currently a lot going on in road racing in Switzerland. The lifting of the ban on circuit racing and increased investment by the Swissmoto association in youth development are fuelling hopes that, in future, more Swiss riders will make the leap into the Motorcycle World Championship. Moto2 riding coach Tom Lüthi puts this development into perspective in an interview with SPEEDWEEK.com.

The 2005 World Champion begins by welcoming the lifting of the decades-long ban on circuit racing, which was introduced following the Le Mans disaster of 1955. “I think the decision to lift the circuit ban is long overdue. The law dates back to 1955 following the accident at the Le Mans car race. It’s obviously no longer appropriate, as race circuits have become much safer these days. It’s no longer comparable to how things were back then. That’s why it was time for this law to be overturned and the ban on circuit racing lifted.”

However, in his view, it is not yet possible to assess what specific impact the change in the law will have. “It’s happened now, but what that means for the near future – or whether anything will actually be done at all – is difficult to say.”

A boost after the World Championship title: Tom Lüthi motivated his compatriots

Despite not having any circuits of its own, Switzerland has repeatedly produced successful Grand Prix riders. Lüthi also recalls the developments following his own World Championship title. “Before I won the world title, there were hardly any successful Swiss riders competing in the World Championship for several years. My title in 2005 provided another boost. The young riders saw that it is possible to make it from Switzerland all the way to the World Championship and succeed there. That motivated a lot of them.”

After a few quieter years, Lüthi is now seeing positive signs once again. Swissmoto’s commitment, in particular, makes him optimistic. “Swissmoto is now doing a lot to promote young talent. A number of changes have been made, and this is only just the beginning. I can certainly see us seeing Swiss riders back in Grand Prix racing in the future.”

Tom Lüthi hilft IntactGP als Riding-Coach

Foto: Thorsten Horn

One of these rising stars is Alessio Arnold. The 15-year-old from Reitnau is now competing in the Moto4 Europe Cup following his runner-up finish in the ESBK Talent 250cc class. Lüthi is supporting him as a coach and sporting adviser. Nevertheless, the former Moto2 and MotoGP rider urges patience.

“It certainly hasn’t got any easier. Making the leap into the World Championship isn’t easy anyway – no matter which country you’re from. But there are more opportunities today than there were in my day. It’s good that Swissmoto has addressed this issue. However, I still see potential to further expand the support for young talent.”

Talent must be nurtured early on

It is crucial to start as early as possible. “To get talented riders all the way to the World Championship, you have to start right at the very beginning. Children must first and foremost have the chance to take part in motorbike racing. We need junior and even children’s series in Switzerland so that development can take place step by step.”

Lüthi sees mini-bikes and the European youth programmes as the ideal starting point. “Mini-bikes are the right way forward. There are relevant series in various countries and, with the Road to MotoGP, a good development programme too. The opportunities are there. For Swiss riders, however, the effort involved is considerable, because the path leads abroad almost immediately.”

Tom Lüthi mit Nachwuchshoffnung Alessio Arnold

Foto: Thorsten Horn

In his view, there’s currently hardly any way round Spain. “If we look at the situation as it stands, the route to the World Championship actually goes via the FIM MotoJunior World Championship and Spain. The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup is also an excellent junior series. However, I think that with the changes coming in from 2028 or 2029, there may even be several routes into the World Championship.”

So, despite the structural disadvantages of his home country, Lüthi is optimistic about the future. With the reforms at Swissmoto and talents such as Alessio Arnold, the 125cc World Champion sees a good chance that Switzerland will once again be regularly represented in the Motorcycle World Championship in the future.