The Japanese constructors’ have finally reached an agreement with MotoGP right owner Dorna to withdraw from MotoGP at the end of the 2022 season.
The rumors of Suzuki leaving the paddock started floating around at the end of the Jerez MotoGP test back in May. Back then, Dorna stated that the decision could not be made unilaterally as Suzuki had signed a contract at the start of the current season that would keep them in MotoGP until the end of 2026. Now, with the 2022 MotoGP season reaching its halfway mark, both Suzuki and Dorna have reached an agreement that the constructor will leave the series after the Valencia Grand Prix later this year. Not only that, the company has also stated that it intended to leave the Endurance World Championship i.e. EWC, the series in which they are the current Champions.
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The news of Suzuki’s withdrawal from MotoGP sent shockwaves not just to the MotoGP paddock but the global motorcycle and powersports industry as a whole with many questioning whether Suzuki was going to pull out of motorcycle manufacturing completely.
What has been said?
“Suzuki has decided to end the participation of MotoGP and EWC in the face of the need to re-allocate resources on other initiatives for sustainability,” said Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director and President for the Suzuki Motor Corporation. “Motorcycle racing has always been a challenging place for technological innovation, including sustainability, and human resource development. This decision means that we will take on the challenge to build the new motorcycle business operation by redirecting the technological capabilities and human resources we have cultivated through motorcycle racing activities to investigate other routes for a sustainable society.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all our fans, riders and all stakeholders who joined us and enthusiastically supported us from the development stage since we returned to MotoGP racing.
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“I will continue to do my best to support Alex Rins, Joan Mir, Team Suzuki Ecstar and Yoshimura Sert Motul to compete competitively until the end of the season. Thank you for your kind support.”
[Featured Image Credit: Team Suzuki]
Shashank Iyer