On Wednesday, Motorsport.com exclusively announced that Brivio will leave his role at Suzuki to become CEO of the Alpine F1 Team in 2021.
On Thursday morning, Suzuki confirmed Brivio’s departure from the team he has headed since 2013 as it prepares for a full-time return in 2015, with the Italian at Yamaha for 20 years in both World Superbikes and World Superbikes from 1990 to 2010 served in MotoGP before that.
Brivio led Suzuki to its first race wins since 2007 in 2016, with the brand ending a two-decade drought in the world championship last year when Joan Mir won the drivers’ title.
With the 2021 MotoGP season set to begin in Qatar on March 28, and testing set to begin in just over a month, Suzuki doesn’t have long to fill Brivio’s role.
“Frankly, it was shocking news for us about Davide’s departure from the Suzuki Ecstar team,” said Sahara of Brivio’s departure.
“It feels like someone got involved in me because I’ve always talked to them about the development of the team and the bikes and we’ve worked together for a long time.
“In 2020 we achieved fantastic results despite the unusual and difficult situation due to COVID-19.
“And 2021 will be an even more important year for us to keep the momentum going. Now let’s try to find the best way to cover the ‘Davide Loss’.
“Fortunately, for the most part, I had a very similar mindset to his, so it’s not that difficult to keep the direction we should be taking as Team Suzuki Ecstar, I think.
“We wish him all the best for the future.”
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For his part, Brivio said he was “sad” to leave the “fabulous group of people” at Suzuki, with the Italian admitting the F1 alpine opportunity “suddenly” came about.
Renault has not yet commented on Brivio’s future, but it is believed that confirmation of his appointment as CEO of Alpine F1 is imminent.
Reigning MotoGP World Champion I responded to Brivio’s departure on social media with the words: “Thank you Davide Brivio for trusting me and helping me achieve my dream of becoming MotoGP World Champion. I wish you all the best for yours new challenges. “