This will be the year of reconfirmations for Suzuki. Few thought the GSX-RR could win the title with Joan Mir last year, but now number one is on its fairing and they are the team to beat. Shinichi Sahara, the Japanese company’s project manager, knows this very well, but he doesn’t want to play in defense. They want to keep attacking.
“I don’t want to say we will defend the title, but we will be one of the contenders to win it.He explained from Hamamatsu. “Every year we set goals and after winning the championship we have reached a new level. The goal for this year is clear: To be in first and second place with our drivers in the overall standings and also to win the constructors’ and team championships. I know it is difficult and we are under more pressure, but we will try. “
One of their strengths is the GSX-RR, a bike that has proven to be very balanced and competitive on any route. Of course the racing department is working to improve this.
“Drivers are never happy with their bikes and that’s normal,” Sahara continued. “Our priority is to keep a balance so that we don’t just focus on one area. One of the things that needs improvement is qualifying performance, even if our priority remains the result in the race. For example, we’re going to work on the rigidity of the frame to improve confidence on the front, but we’re not going to limit ourselves to that. We will approach the problem from different directions. “
The other fixed point are the drivers.
“They are a really strong duo. We have a perfect combination between them and the team. We are like familyHe stressed. “At the moment I don’t want to change anything and I’m not worried about their management. There has never been a number one and number two driver for Suzuki. They are on the same level, even if we had newbies. Me and Rins respect and help each other. Without them we would not have been able to achieve certain results, but I know this year will not be easy. ”
But the Suzuki family has lost an important member: Davide Brivio.
“When he told me I was surprised. I asked him what year he was saying goodbye.Sahara smiled. “His departure was a unique event and I hope it won’t happen again.”
Suzuki has decided not to replace him.
“A total of seven people coordinate the various areas of the team, including myself. I was involved in leading the team because they constantly compared me to Davide. So I’m not worried at all,He said reassuringly. “Let’s see what happens. If a team manager is needed, we have one, but at the moment I don’t know if that is the case and who it could be. From my point of view, it would be ideal to promote one of the people who work in the team instead of looking for someone outside.”
In 2021 they will continue to follow the path followed by Brivio, then they will see. But there’s another topic that’s been talked about for years: the possibility that Suzuki will have a satellite team from 2022. In this case, Sahara’s answer is less straightforward.
“Davide had started talking to other teams. I was involved too, but his departure makes things difficult, ”he explained. “I’m not giving up on this idea, but I’m busier now. I spoke to Suzuki’s top management about it and they didn’t say no, but the question was put aside. I will try to go into more detail to understand how we can organize. Things are moving forward, but a little slowly.”
The Japanese project manager also wanted to pay tribute to his testers for the work they did.
“Guintoli is very important to the development of our bike. His comments are very precise and he races with times that are close to those of the drivers. I’ll tell you an anecdote. One day he had to try out new electronics, but we accidentally didn’t load the new card and he didn’t know. When he returned to the pits, I asked his opinion and he told me it was exactly the same, ”he said. “In Japan it is Tsuda who tests mainly in Motegi and he has improved his work a lot.”
One last thing before I left was my decision to use the number one in this year’s race.
“I’ve loved to see him on our bike in Valencia, that’s enough for me. If Joan uses it, I’ll be happy. Otherwise we will try to put him on it again at the end of the year.He said with a laugh.