Suzuki withdraws from MotoGP

Fri, 18 Nov 09:46:00 2011

Suzuki has confirmed that it is pulling out of MotoGP but insists its absence will be temporary and that a 2014 return is on the cards.

Suzuki MotoGP rider Loris Capirossi - 0

The future of Suzuki's MotoGP programme had been in doubt for months, with the reduction to a single works bike this season widely regarded as a precursor to a full withdrawal.

It did not join fellow works teams Honda, Ducati and Yamaha in publically testing a 1000cc bike for the 2012 rules, although there were suggestions that such a bike was under development and that the factory team would start the season with its old 800cc machine before switching to the new bike later in the year.

But today the company issued a statement blaming global economic circumstances for the decision to suspend its MotoGP programme for at least two seasons.

"Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to suspend temporarily its participation in FIM Road Racing Grand Prix MotoGP from 2012," said the statement.

"This suspension is to cope with tough circumstances mainly caused by the prolonged recession in developed countries, a historical appreciation of Japanese Yen and repeated natural disasters.

"Having an eye to returning to MotoGP in 2014, Suzuki will now focus on developing a competitive new racing machine for that class.

"Suzuki will continue motocross racing activity and support of road racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles, by obtaining FIM homologation and co-operation with the supplier of its development racing kit parts."

Suzuki's 2011 rider Alvaro Bautista has already signed for Gresini Honda for next year. The team had tested ex-Pramac Ducati rider Randy de Puniet at Valencia last week.

The most recent Suzuki win in MotoGP was Chris Vermeulen's triumph in the wet 2007 French Grand Prix, with Kenny Roberts Jr the last man to achieve championship success on a Suzuki in 2000.

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Comment 19 - 38 of 38

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  1. Don't care about you "NOT J THOMAS" Met­ dani at the NEC today, we chatted, got pictures,­ handshakes and smiles so i'm as happy as larry, oh­ and "thomas" know who you are, not clever,­ the photo gave it away, and unlike you i won't put­ your details on here because it's against the yahoo­ rules!!!! LOL #26

    From REPSOL ROSS, on Wed 23 Nov 9:27

  2. I love the way the considered responses start off the­ topic and then the “bun fight” ends it every­ time...lol..;)

    From Shaun, on Tue 22 Nov 21:28

  3. Looks to be that all are in agreement that RepRoss is­ nothing but a troll.

    Me, I liked Suzuki. I liked the­ colors and their riders over the years. They never had­ the top paid riders, but Hopper, Cappi were great, and­ Vermeulen was an artist in the wet.

    From Bill K, on Mon 21 Nov 16:49

  4. Hi
    Rep Ross
    First I am sad to say if Danni did not get­ a title so far it will not happen, if he was good­ enough it would have happened already, that's why­ you transferred over to Stoner, lucky you support the­ team and not the rider)
    and it looks like you are­ gutless coward to by bringing "all you mini bus­ friends" to a 2 man­ "discussion":)
    Cheers Claes

    From Claes, on Mon 21 Nov 11:10

  5. Barry will be turning in his grave.

    From Felice Tedechi, on Mon 21 Nov 10:44

  6. Suzuki will be back and hopefully will be much more­ competitive.

    From Robert, on Mon 21 Nov 7:17

  7. wot no suzuki,s? you gotta be kidding me!!!!!!!!

    From tez, on Mon 21 Nov 0:58
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    AUSTIN RACING? What's racing mini's or­ A40's got to do with bikes? Thanks for the invite­ nrmsmt i sure me and the rest of my mini bus will­ look forward to sharing a "DEBATE" with you,­ as luck would have it for you i do have to admit to­ sharing my life with rossi/yamaha/ stoner fans and as­ shocked as you may be out of the 14 on the bus i'm­ the only PEDROSA fan, strange that? As well as looking­ forward to meeting you i'll will be meeting dani as­ well #26

    From REPSOL ROSS, on Sun 20 Nov 20:46

  9. RR

    I'm working on Austin Racing stand NEC this­ week if you want to come say hello..

    We can discuss­ our spelling mistakes...............LoL.!

    Cheers.!

    From nrmsmt, on Sun 20 Nov 17:56

  10. Repsol Ros, l really only think that you come out with­ this trash ,either because your bored, or your­ dim.Every one has the right to their own veiws...
    Rossi­ has had a bad season , no doubt about it .However l­ have to agree with otherS here , IF Stoner had'nt­ been out there then Dani YET AGAIN would have won sod­ all!......AGAIN.
    Maybe you are right ,Rossi may have­ had his day , but tbh l 9 world titles , countless race­ wins , most popular racer ever.not a bad CV eh?...
    Moto­ GP needs him , because lets face it , apart from­ Edwards FXXK THERE BORING!!

    From Kevin, on Sun 20 Nov 12:59
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    nrmsmt!!! actually 8ellend it's "BEST BEFORE­ DATE" but thanks for correcting me and did you­ notice my other spelling mistake? I spelt "FORTY­ SIX" AS "FAULTY SIX" NO!!!! your right­ that's actually the correct way to spell­ rossi's number based on this years stats LOL #26 DP­ #27 CS #58 MS

    From REPSOL ROSS, on Sun 20 Nov 7:02

  12. The same thing happenes to Rossi back in 2006 and 2007.­ We'll see next year.

    From M, on Sun 20 Nov 5:11

  13. RR... Why If you love Danni so much..... Propose!

    and­ ................"SALE BY DATE" REMIND YOU OF­ ANYONE­ MUPPETS? LOL #26................

    Yes, funnily­ enough it reminds most of us ...... er.......of­ you!

    And it's "Sell by­ date".........

    Tsk, tsk....... Such poor­ grammar!

    From nrmsmt, on Sun 20 Nov 4:54

  14. Casey Moaner - Right up there with Wayne Rooney. What a­ tit

    From Kim Hastings, on Sun 20 Nov 2:30

  15. The only true stayers in Moto gp or 500cc world­ championship racing has been Yamaha and Honda, we can­ now see Ducati still making an effort but Suzuki and­ Kawasaki are always the first to drop out of the scene,­ its been like it for years when the finances get­ pushed. Shame then because the racing needs them. DONT­ SUPPOSE THEY WILL BE REDUCING THE PRICES OF THEIR ROAD­ BIKES ANYTIME SOON WITH THE MILLIONS THEY ARE GOING TO­ SAVE ON R&D AND STAFF

    From L, on Sun 20 Nov 1:35

  16. PRESENT DAY PONDLIFE!!!! Keep harping on about when­ rossi WAS great, HELLO we're in 2011 where rossi­ had only 1 podium and he had to lay on top of casey to­ even do that!!! I think dani's 2011 stats speak for­ themselves bearing in mind he missed 4 races and at the­ end of the day you valentinneeess really should keep­ stum as you've really got nothing to bring to the­ 2011 table and that will also apply to 2012 2013 2014­ etc DAMM!!! I've just opened a packet of cheese and­ onion crisps and i've noticed they're past­ their "SALE BY DATE" REMIND YOU OF ANYONE­ MUPPETS? LOL #26

    From REPSOL ROSS, on Sun 20 Nov 1:16

  17. Interesting list of winners you put up there Repsol­ Ross. Number 46 has more championships and race wins­ than those three combined.

    From arshad_iceman2, on Sun 20 Nov 0:54

  18. And let's not forget that if Honda hadn't­ shipped in the moaner they wouldn't even have won­ the rider's title last season.

    From Chris, on Sat 19 Nov 22:12

  19. Repsol Ross you really are a p.ratt aren't you -­ remind us all again - how did your beloved 26 do on the­ best bike out there this year?? His last best chance to­ win a MotoGP title and HRC had so little faith in him,­ they brought in Stoner to oblige - and so he did. LOL.

    From Chris, on Sat 19 Nov 22:08

  20. @ Rep Ross

    Since when #26 became winner? lol

    From M, on Sat 19 Nov 22:07
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