Suzuki Reaches a Deal With
Dorna to Leave MotoGP
T
he Suzuki Motor Cor-
poration has finally
reached an agreement with
MotoGP commercial-rights
holder Dorna to formally
withdraw from MotoGP
competition at the end of
the 2022 season.
Suzuki had made the
bombshell announcement
of its intention to quit the
sport at the conclusion of
the Jerez MotoGP test back
in May, although Dorna
stated the decision could
not be made "unilaterally,"
as the company had signed
a contract at the start of
this season that would keep
them in MotoGP until the
end of 2026.
Suzuki and Dorna had to come
to an undisclosed agreement
with Dorna (one which likely
includes a financial penalty) to
leave the series after the Valen-
cia MotoGP. The company has
also stated it intends to leave the
Endurance World Championship
(EWC), the series in which they
are the current World Champions
with the French-based Suzuki
Endurance Racing Team.
"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, Representa-
tive Director and President for
the Suzuki Motor Corporation.
"Motorcycle racing has always
been a challenging place for
technological innovation, includ-
ing 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 resourc-
es we have cultivated through
the 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 develop-
ment stage since we returned to
MotoGP racing.
"I will continue to do my best
to support Alex Rins, Joan Mir,
Team Suzuki Ecstar and Yo-
shimura SERT Motul to compete
competitively until the end of the
season.
"Thank you for your kind sup-
port."
CN
IN
THE
WIND
P28
Alex Rins splashes through the
wet at Assen. It's officially no
more from Suzuki in MotoGP and
EWC in 2023.
PHOTO: GOLD & GOOSE
