Reigning world champion Joan Mir has taken Suzuki to the extreme to match the technical improvements of his MotoGP rivals.
The frustrated Spaniard described his GSX-RR as “the same bike as last year” and admitted that he was “a little concerned” about defending his title.
After seven laps, Mir is already 40 points behind Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo, who qualified for the fifth event in a row with pole position. The Frenchman has won three races so far this season, Mir and Suzuki only two-thirds.
“Again I’m a bit disappointed with qualifying. I gave 100%, but the truth is, I can’t go any faster. It’s a bit frustrating. But I’m consistent and I’m happy with the pace … I think we will to make a race from less to more again, “said Mir, who fought his way through the field similar to last year when he came within a second of Quartararo.
“These [recovering from a bad qualifying] is not the way to win races. That way I can land on the podium if I’m good in the race, coping well and doing super good laps.
“But the truth is we have to keep improving and pushing because the competitiveness is really high this year.
On the subject of matching items
“A lot of manufacturers have improved and we have not improved.
“Our bike is really good. We have a good base. But I have the same bike as last year. It’s the same.
“What does that mean? I was two tenths closer to pole position last year than here, but last year I was eighth and now I’m tenth. That means we’re not improving.”
“We always have to push a little more, have more material and test more things to improve. Clearly a lot of people have improved this year. We have a good package, but we haven’t improved this year.”
On the subject of matching items
“I’m a little worried because I want to defend the title. And I think Suzuki too. But I honestly think we can push a little more.”
I kept repeating that the shortage of new parts needed to be fixed.
“To bring more things,” said Me. “Because the team works really well. But it’s not enough. The others may work harder. We all have to work harder if we want to defend the crown.”
“What I think can be improved is the speed and delivery of things.”
Suzuki is now the only manufacturer without a rear holeshot / ride height system to help with acceleration and has yet to try a carbon fiber swingarm.
I’m the only Suzuki rider to compete this weekend because of a bicycle injury to team-mate Alex Rins.