© 2021, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. From a press release by Dorna:
Suzuki extends agreement with Dorna to participate in MotoGP ™
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Dorna Sports is pleased to announce that an agreement has been signed with Suzuki Motor Corporation to extend its involvement in the FIM MotoGP ™ World Championship for the period from the 2022 season to the 2026 season.
As a result, Suzuki Motor Corporation will use its factory team – actually known as Team Suzuki Ecstar – in the MotoGP ™ class of the MotoGP ™ World Championship.
Suzuki’s racing history began in 1960 when it entered the Isle of Man’s legendary Tourist Trophy, and last year the Hamamatsu, Japan brand celebrated its 100th anniversary alongside the 60th milestone in racing. The news that Suzuki’s factory tour will continue is extremely positive, especially after an extremely successful period that culminated in brilliant results last year; Suzuki’s Spanish duo, Joan Mir and Alex Rins, finished 1st and 3rd in the championship standings, which means the excellence of winning both the MotoGP ™ driver and team titles.
Shinichi Sahara, project manager and team leader: “As Suzuki Motor Corporation, we are proud to continue to compete in the MotoGP World Championship as we all share the ambitious ambition to compete with the best motorcycle competitions in the world. We started this new journey in 2015 and in just six years we achieved the drivers’ world title along with the team title and we are still hungry for more successes. For these reasons, we have extended our contract with Dorna, with the hope and commitment to further develop the technical and racing side of the company. “
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “We are very excited about the renewal of the agreement with Suzuki, a plant with which we have been racing in the world championship for years and enjoy a great working relationship. Her return to MotoGP in 2015 proved an instant success, which was confirmed by winning the 2020 World Drivers Championship with Joan Mir. We are proud to extend this partnership and hope to continue setting milestones with this iconic brand. “