I was crowned MotoGP champion last time at the Valencia Grand Prix with one lap to go after crossing the finish line in seventh place.
The world champion has seven podiums during the 2020 season, including his win at the European GP, and has been on the podium alongside Rins four times this year.
Rins himself has achieved four podiums so far, including his GP win at Aragon, in a campaign that was badly affected by a serious shoulder injury in the opening round.
The Spaniard has been with Suzuki since 2017 and helped shape the development of the GSX-RR.
When asked by Motorsport.com last Sunday whether he owes part of his title to his team-mate, Mir replied: “Of course. He’s part of the team. He, Sylvain [Guintoli, test rider], [Andrea] Iannone in his time (2017-2018) he gave good information.
“The first two drivers at Suzuki, Maverick [Vinales] and Alex [Espargaro]. These riders, and of course Suzuki’s work, have made the bike better and better year after year and made all the difference.
“Sure, Alex is the one who stayed with Suzuki longer and gave more information.
“He was always a really good team-mate, on the track he showed a lot of respect for me and Suzuki.
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“And he was always my first rival. Last year, this year I always wanted to stay ahead of him and so did he [wanted to beat me].
“And that is part of the success that has brought Suzuki to the podium in almost every race, because you can see that when your team-mate pushes you are pushing your limits.”
Mir is Suzuki’s first world champion in 20 years and joins the elite roster of Barry Sheen, Marco Lucchinelli, Franco Uncini, Kevin Schwantz and Kenny Roberts Jr. as the only premier class rider to have won the title for the Japanese brand.
With just one lap left in 2020, Rins is in third place in the overall standings and just four points behind second place, which is currently occupied by the Valencia GP winner, Franco Morbidelli.