IS MOTOGP ON
SHAKY GROUND?
Dorna was understandably at
pains to point out the series is
doing just fine despite the Su-
zuki news. "It's important to say
that we obviously are not happy
with Suzuki leaving, but the most
important thing is that the Cham-
pionship is in very good health,"
said Dorna CEO Carlos Ezpeleta
at the French Grand Prix.
The Spaniard met with each
MotoGP team in France to allay
any fears or concerns. The com-
pany claims it has received "high
interest" from "official factories"
and "independent teams" keen
to join the series in their place.
Looking at the current situa-
tion, Jarvis believed the sport
is in much better shape than
2011 when Suzuki last departed.
"Could it happen at Yamaha?
There is no hesitation to contin-
ue in MotoGP. We've signed the
five-year contract, we're commit-
ted to the sport," said Jarvis. "I
can't see their problems influ-
encing Yamaha."
"I read things like everyone
else about inflation, the econo-
my slowing down and the conse-
quences of the expansion of the
war. Who knows? Maybe all the
doom and gloom will prove to be
correct, or maybe it won't. I don't
think today we're in an extremely
difficult situation, but we could
be if things turn very badly. Who
knows if the Ukraine situation will
get out of hand. Already it's an
extraordinary situation. If it got
worse that doesn't just influence
us; it influences everything.
"On the positive side, I think
the sport is as good as it's been.
I was just talking to the president
of Yamaha Europe. We were
looking at the positions after
FP3. There were 16 riders within
one second. That's amazing.
There are six constructors here
(Above) No doubt, Mir will land on his feet after
all of this is over, but he was looking forward to
staying with Suzuki for years to come. (Right) The
last time Suzuki pulled out of MotoGP was in 2011,
but the company said it would be back in a few
years. This time, there is no timetable for a return.
VOLUME 59 ISSUE 24 JUNE 14, 2022 P113
