Suzuki has still not officially announced its withdrawal from MotoGP at the end of this season, but everyone is aware and has validated this issue at its level. Among the pilots, the managers of Joan Mir and Alex Rins confirmed, within the official team, Livio Suppo has all but denied having been put in front of a fait accompli while Carmelo Ezpeleta, boss of Dorna recalled the Hamamatsu builder to its contractual obligations. Mean by that that one does not leave MotoGP on a simple decision of a board of directors. We will have to negotiate the exit… That being said, to replace Suzuki in 2023, there are options…
Will the MotoGP starting grid in 2023 drop to 22 bikes, two less than the full number wanted by the promoter? Dorna ? For now, we are on our way. Nevertheless Carmelo Ezpeleta do not stand idly by this surprise defection from Suzuki.
On the one hand, the Spaniard recalled who was the boss of the starting grid: » to follow up on recent rumors that manufacturer Suzuki will be leaving MotoGP at the end of 2022, Dorna Sports have officially contacted the factory to remind them that the terms of their contract to race in MotoGP do not allow them to make this decision unilaterally reads Dorna’s statement.
On the other hand, we want to reassure by specifying that MotoGP arouses great interest and that this bad publicity made by this departure that Suzuki must confirm, is certainly not the sign of a category in crisis: » Dorna continues to generate strong interest from a number of official factories and independent teams looking to join the MotoGP grid as the sport continues to set the global example of close competition, innovation and fun, reaching hundreds of millions of fans around the world. The interest of these parties has been reconfirmed in the last 24 hours « .
The last 24 hours have therefore been hectic and the next will undoubtedly be even more so. It remains to be seen who these official factories » and others » independent teams « . At this stage, we can name two names…
The alternatives to Suzuki are already appearing
On the manufacturer side, KTM would be on the spot according to Speedweek which recalls that the group Pierer Mobility AG with its other brands which are Husqvarna and GasGas was already looking for a third team in MotoGP last year. The Austrians had even regretted seeing the clan Ducati increase in number, at the expense of space for a third offspring in his family currently made up of his factory team KTM and partner Tech3. The men of Stefan Peirer also want an additional outlet for their young, fast-growing champions. According to the source, it is branded GasGas that this new adventure could be declined, the coat of arms currently making the heyday of Moto3 and Moto2.
As for the independent team, this new situation caused by the departure of Suzuki open the door to Leopard Racing, who has had a big project in the pipeline for a while for a MotoGP finish in the short to medium term. The technical director Christian Lundberg has already said on Corsedimoto: » we are working on a big project on the circuit of Viterbo, as already said, proceeding step by step, because our boss Flavio Becca wants to create an ambitious project and soon you will know more information… MotoGP is not a dream, it’s a reality. We are working on it hand in hand with the Viterbo circuit. It’s a huge commitment, but it’s a project we’ve been talking about for a while and we’re moving forward. “. A way that Suzuki cleared.
