Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MotoGP has frozen engine development for 2021, with everyone except KTM (as it lost concessions in 2020) and Aprilia (as it still has concessions) racing on last year’s engines this season.
The normal update regulations outside of aerodynamic fairings and engines still apply, but the stability of the rules will likely mean that bicycle development will not be dramatic in 2021.
Suzuki often had the most consistent bike on race weekends in 2021, with Rins taking four podiums in the last seven races – including a win at Aragon – while teammate Joan Mir had the most top-3 finishes of all (seven) along the way the title made it there.
Rins believes Suzuki could benefit from the stability of the rules and consistency of the current GSX-RR package – but insists the field will become even closer this season.
“Maybe it is an advantage for us because we have a very good base and every time we start on Friday, we make a good decision with the set-up,” said Rins when asked by Motorsport.com whether the freeze was going to happen Rules would be beneficial to Suzuki.
“We just have to change a few things [on the bike], but not too much. So, maybe it can be of use to us, but for that [season] the rivalries will be so great because the bikes are more or less the same for everyone as they were last year. And the setup is more or less there.
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“For me, every year is even harder. In 2019 I thought ‘ok, the level was so high this year, let’s see for 2020’. And the level for 2020 has risen. Let’s see how the level will rise in 2021. “
Rins will be driving for a reigning championship team for the first time in his Grand Prix career in 2021 and feels that if this puts pressure on him, then it’s “good pressure”.
He also believes that going up against his world champion team-mate Mir will be a “good challenge”.
“I know we have a good bike, I know we have a bike that was the world champion bike last year,” said Rins. “So let’s bring all of my talent and experience together and have a good year.
“[Facing Mir], it’s a good challenge because I have the current world champion by my side. He’ll try to do that again to keep the level up. Let’s see if I can get there or fight for the world title with him. “