Suzuki bids farewell to MotoGP

Suzuki and Dorna have now officially announced that they will stop competing in MotoGP after 2022, dropping the shocking news earlier this season. Suzuki will also stop competing in the World Endurance Championship, a major source of revenue for the Japanese company in recent years.

Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director and President added that, due to the necessity to reallocate funds to other sustainability-related projects, Suzuki has chosen to stop supporting MotoGP and EWC. The growth of human resources and technological innovation has always been difficult tasks in the world of motorcycle racing. This choice implies that they will take on the task of creating a new motorcycle commercial operation while repurposing the technology and human resources that they have developed through our involvement in motorcycle racing to look at alternative paths toward a sustainable society.

Suzuki shocked the MotoGP paddock in May when it revealed it will leave the competition at the end of 2022, only seven years after it made a comeback to the top division.

The Japanese manufacturer, which has rebuilt its squad since its full-time return to MotoGP in 2015, won its first race back at Silverstone in 2016 with Maverick Vinales, giving it its first world championship in 20 years.

This is not the first time that Suzuki has exited MotoGP. In 2011, Suzuki left MotoGP and returned in 2015. Since then Suzuki has won 20 titles. Observing the trend, Suzuki might re-enter MotoGP in 2026, when the format will get revised.

Suzuki, who were world champions in 2020 with Joan Mir, are abandoning MotoGP for the second time in less than ten years, citing financial reasons for their decision.

Fortunately for Suzuki and both of its riders, Mir and Alex Rins’ chances of competing in 2023 look unaffected by the company’s decision to depart MotoGP; both riders are expected to sign with Honda.