Speaking to British Eurosport at the Brands Hatch BSB round on Sunday, Rizla Suzuki team boss Paul Denning said that he is "100%" sure Suzuki will remain in MotoGP for 2011, but could offer no concrete assurances of the factory's participation beyond that.
"Business is tough," added Denning, before implying that Suzuki needs to be convinced of the future economic model for MotoGP - and achieve greater track success - to remain involved for the long term.
2011 is the final year of the 800cc MotoGP formula, with new 1000cc rules coming into effect from 2012.
That means, unless Suzuki wants to fall further behind, it will need to design an all-new bike - hence the uncertainly beyond next season.
2011 is also when the current contract between the MSMA (MotoGP manufacturers) and Dorna expires.
Suzuki has rookie Alvaro Bautista under contract for next year, but veteran team-mate Loris Capirossi looks certain to leave the team - possibly for Pramac Ducati - after becoming disillusioned by the lack of progress with the GSV-R project.
Suzuki has only won one MotoGP race since the switch from 500cc two-strokes at the end of 2001 and hasn't taken a podium finish since 2008.
Kawasaki withdrew its factory team from MotoGP - due to a lack of results and the global financial crisis - at the end of 2008. Suzuki, as the next least-successful brand, has faced questions over its continued participation ever since.
Mentioning Kawasaki's MotoGP exit, Denning added that he was pleased to see Kawasaki win race two at Brands, in the hands of WSBK rider Tom Sykes, who is making a one-off BSB return this weekend with the Paul Bird Motorsport team.
Suzuki last won a 500cc/MotoGP title with Kenny Roberts Jr in 2000.
Article from Racers Republic
0 comments:
Post a Comment