The career of Leon Camier in World Superbike it ended in the 2020 season after a long injury. But it didn’t take long for the Brit to take on a new role in the paddock. After being the coach of Chaz Davies in Ducati, he was hired by Honda as the new team manager.
“It’s a completely different job,” said Camier, comparing his role as a team manager to that of a driver. “There is still a feeling of satisfaction with a good result, but it is completely different, even when you feel that you are making a difference for the team.”
Camier brought a lot of experience to Honda. “I raced for many teams and I learned something each time. I have been racing since I was six. As soon as I got into 125cc, I raced for a real team and I was only 12 years old. From then on, I have always been riding for a different team, “Camier said in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com.
Leon Camier wurde im Januar 2021 als neuer HRC-Teammanager präsentiert
Photo: Motorsport Images
“So I have a lot of experience. This is good because it means you know how things should go. As a driver you try to do everything right and give everything to be the best. Now I can bring this approach to the team to make a difference. I love doing it. “explained the former BSB champion.
Alvaro Bautista was suspicious at first
The new role at Honda required Camier to work closely with former rivals. “It was a bit strange, yes,” admitted the former driver. “With Leon Haslam it was easy for me, we have known each other since we were children. With Alvaro (Bautista) it was difficult at the beginning, because he was a little suspicious.”
Leon Camier musste sich das Vertrauen von Alvaro Bautista erarbeiten
Photo: Motorsport Images
“But after we got to know each other better, it went well. His confidence increased after we made progress. I think it’s normal when a driver takes on this role. It takes some time to build the necessary confidence. The same goes for the mechanics: you have to earn respect, “Camier said knowingly.
Does Camier miss being a driver?
When asked if he misses being the one to ride the bike, Camier explained: “I miss being competitive. It’s not the race itself that I miss. From the outside it looks like you’re coming to the track and you’re competitive, but this is not the reality “.
WSBK 2020: Leon Camier konnte das Potenzial der Ducati Panigale V4R nie ausloten
Photo: Barni Racing Team
“Being this fast on a motorcycle takes a lot both mentally and physically. Nobody really understands it until they’ve tried it firsthand. But in the end, it wasn’t the actual riding that gave me the fun,” he admitted.
“Sure, I like it when the bike is good and I’m fast, it’s always great moments. But when you struggle and the results don’t come, then it’s an uphill battle,” he added, recalling the years he had to race with material. inferior.
The unexpected difficulties with Ten Kate and HRC
After struggling with the MV Agusta F4 for a few years, Camier had the chance to switch to Honda Ten Kate in 2018. After a promising start, many ups and downs followed. The following year, Honda officially returned to SBK and formed a new team together with Moriwaki. Again, a great opportunity that turned out to be an illusion.
WSBK 2018: Leon Camier mühte sich mit der Honda Fireblade ab
Photo: LAT
“It didn’t work. The year before with Ten Kate and the Red Bull sponsorship didn’t go so well. But it was a good opportunity. In the tests we were fast right away, even though we had to ride the old bike,” Camier recalls. of the 2018 season with the Honda Fireblade.
Leon Camier auf der Honda Fireblade von Ten Kate
Photo: LAT
“On some tracks we could have fought for the win. But then during the season we made the decision to change the electronics. The new one didn’t work though and that caused us a lot of frustration,” said the Brit, who thought the HRC’s entry could represent new hope.
A disappointing season with HRC and the old Fireblade
“Then we had the official Honda of the Japanese championship. The bike was very similar to the Suzuka 8 Hours version. It was clear that we would not be competitive in the first year, because this bike was developed with Bridgestone tires, which are very different. . It was HRC’s first year after returning to the World Cup, so they had to learn a lot and gather information, “Camier recalled on 2019.
Leon Camier mühte sich 2019 mit der Werks-Honda ab
Photo: LAT
After two difficult years with Honda and several injuries, Camier was given a new chance for 2020, with Barni putting a Ducati Panigale V4R at his disposal. The Ducati four-cylinder surprised with its victories in the debut season, but Camier was never able to explore its potential, with a big setback already coming at the end of 2019.
“I got injured very early in testing. I had already broken my shoulder in 2019 with Honda. I fell on my shoulder again during testing and broke everything. It was a slow and long recovery,” Camier recalled.
The prolonged shoulder injury took away his confidence
“I had so many different options from the doctors, because every doctor had their opinion. It was difficult to understand which was the right one and I suffered a lot,” admitted Camier. “Normally, it’s always been easy for me to come back after injuries. I’ve always been fast enough.”
“Over the years I had built a team of trusted doctors and physiotherapists. But this shoulder problem seemed to go on forever. I was slow and realized it was going to be impossible to drive,” he said, describing the last few months of the his career. In fact, in the summer of 2020, Camier made the decision to separate from Barni and in January 2021 he announced his retirement.
#SBK #Camier #team #manager #earn #respect