Official: Suzuki in discussions ‘to end MotoGP participation’
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The long-awaited announcement follows last week’s reports that team members had been told of Suzuki’s shock decision to quit, just six races into the latest five-year MotoGP contract.However, the legalities of such an early contract separation still need to be settled, hence the factory is ‘in discussions’ with Dorna over its exit.Despite winning the world championship in 2020 and finishing third with Joan Mir last season, the ‘current economical situation’ and ‘need to concentrate its effort on the big changes that the Automotive world’ (presumably electric vehicles) were named as their reasons for leaving:“Suzuki Motor Corporation is in discussions with Dorna regarding the possibility of ending its participation in MotoGP at the end of 2022.Related Marc Marquez: Keep building, keep improving, keep closing Vinales chasing ‘details’, ‘at Yamaha it was two steps of preload…’“Unfortunately, the current economical situation and the need to concentrate its effort on the big changes that the Automotive world is facing in these years, are forcing Suzuki to shift costs and human resources to develop new technologies.“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our Suzuki Ecstar Team, to all those who have supported Suzuki’s motorcycle racing activities for many years and to all Suzuki fans who have given us their enthusiastic support.”Suzuki previously ‘temporarily suspended’ its MotoGP activities, from 2012-2014, due to fallout from the financial crisis.Related Keith Huewen: Suzuki should pay massive penalty for MotoGP ‘Sexit’ Jorge Lorenzo: Assen 2013 ‘man of steel’ comeback ‘completely mad’However, its MotoGP contract expired at the same time and the company also provided a planned return date, helping ensure Dorna reserved its grid places.But the nature of the factory’s 2022 exit is sure to leave a far more sour taste and it could be a very long time, if ever, before Suzuki is seen again in grand prix racing.”4The only positive news is that, by announcing early in the season, they have at least Mir, Alex Rins and other team members time to try and find alternative employment for 2023.Although yet to add to his Valencia 2020 race win, Mir, 24, is widely considered among the best of the ‘new’ generation of riders, alongside the likes of Fabio Quartararo and Francesco Bagnaia.Mir could well turn his attention to vacancies such as the Repsol Honda seat alongside Marc Marquez, having previously been a target for Honda before signing with Suzuki for his debut 2019 MotoGP season.”5Rins meanwhile is Suzuki’s most successful rider in terms of race wins (3) and podiums (15) on the GSX-RR. The 26-year-old finished third in the team’s historic 2020 season and has taken their only rostrums of 2022.Like Mir, Rins would no doubt prefer to remain as a full factory rider next year, but might he also consider options such as a satellite RNF Yamaha seat? Aside from Suzuki, Yamaha’s M1 is the only other bike to use an inline four-cylinder engine. More follows…This is a breaking news story. will continue to bring you updates – please refresh this page for the latest details.Follow for all your motorsport live coverage, breaking news and expert analysis. We are your No 1 source for the big races in Formula 1, MotoGP, Superbike World Championship, British Superbike Championship, Indy Car, NASCAR, World Rally and every other major motorsport championship.will bring you lap-by-lap updates from the best races every weekend across two wheels and four wheels – we are your ultimate home of motorsport.”6
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