Shocking news circulated in the 2022 MotoGP. Suzuki Ecstar is rumored to be leaving MotoGP at the end of the 2022 season.
This situation also raises big questions regarding the fate of the two drivers. As we know, Joan Mir and Alex Rins performed quite well at the start of the 2022 season.
Suzuki reportedly decided to leave MotoGP at the end of the 2022 season. This is certainly a surprise because they have signed a commitment contract in MotoGP last year.
Suzuki itself re-joined MotoGP seven years ago, in the 2015 season to be exact. They also managed to secure the title of world champion for the 2020 MotoGP riders and team.
As reported by The Race, this also left Mir and Rins devastated. Moreover, their contracts will expire at the end of this year.
Last week, Suzuki Team Manager, Livio Suppo, still believed he could extend Mir and Rins’ contracts. However, the news of this immediately changed the situation.
For Mir, there may still be hope. Currently, he is being approached by Repsol Honda to replace Pol Espargaro. The circulation of rumors of Suzuki’s departure will facilitate negotiations.
Meanwhile, Rins’ situation was a little more complicated. He reportedly wants to find a team that has an in-line four-cylinder engine that fits his racing style.
However, currently, only two manufacturers use inline four-cylinder engines; Suzuki and Yamaha. With the current state of affairs, Rins’ only option is to hope to play for the WithU Yamaha RNF team. He may replace Andrea Dovizioso, who performed poorly at the start of this season.