Suzuki Exit After The Season - Why There Hasn't Been A Replacement Yet
Categories: MotoGP
Suzuki is leaving MotoGP at the end of 2022, with no replacement in sight yet – Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta isn’t worried, saying the grid is big enough as it is
When Suzuki annonuced their departure at the end of the season, the news had the whole paddock in shock. Equally as surprised was Dorna Sports when Suzuki who had signed a contract extension in 2021 announced they wanted to end their MotoGP project ahead of schedule.
BREAKING: @suzukimotogp extend commitment to #MotoGP until 2026! 🤝
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) April 20, 2021
Full details available here! 👇
NEWS | 📰https://t.co/nqpRM0mk7j
After the news broke, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta issued a statement in which the Spaniard reacted angrily about the sudden departure, stating there would be plenty of options of replacement options. However, there hasn’t been any announcement since.
Now, it seems there simply won’t be a replacement. In an interview with Motorsport.com expressed his opinion on the downsizing of the MotoGP grid.
“For us, having 20 bikes on the grid is already enough for the championship, so 22 is the ideal number”
But, though there seems to be no replacement in sight for the 2023 season, Ezpeleta gives a little hint for the near future.
“Next year, Yamaha will have only two bikes. I don’t think it will be like this the following years,” Ezpeleta holds.
But even that might not mean the MotoGP grid will get a new team for the 2024 season. The most probable solution will be an alliance between VR46 and Yamaha. However, VR46’s contract with Ducati will only expire after the 2024 season.
