Gregg Black, interviewed about his test of the Suzuki MotoGP GSX-RR, told us about it but it is now official: The Yoshimura SERT Motul team will participate in the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2023!
The French-Japanese team is preparing to enter a Suzuki GSX-R1000R in the four rounds which constitute this ultimate test for riders and machines alike, with their aim being to regain the EWC title they won in 2021.
Yoshimura SERT Motul will announce its drivers at a later date but has confirmed that it will race in its usual No. 12 and under its familiar red and blue livery.
Yohei Kato, Team Director, said: “ I am very pleased to announce that the Yoshimura SERT Motul will compete in the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2023. Suzuki Motor Corporation's (SMC) declaration ending its factory participation in MotoGP and EWC at the end of 2022 has of course been very difficult to digest. However, we have accepted the situation and decided to put new plans in place for the 2023 EWC season.
With SMC's understanding and decision to renew its support for the team, we will continue to represent Suzuki at the highest level. We are fully committed to regaining the EWC title in 2023.
Taking this opportunity, we thank all our sponsors, including Motul and Denso, corporate partners and fans for supporting us for many years. It was their voices, but also those of our team members themselves, who are eager to participate in the EWC, that made this possible.
In the 2022 season, we were leading the championship until the last race of the season, but unexpected problems prevented us from defending our title. We will continue to move forward with the excellent drivers and members of Yoshimura SERT Motul. Our goal is to win every race in 2023, and we are particularly looking forward to the challenge of winning the 24 Heures Motos, at Le Mans, for the third year in a row. »
Damien Saulnier, Team Manager, said: “
It is with great pleasure that, together with Yohei, we can confirm that the Yoshimura SERT Motul partnership is renewed for 2023. We will use our Suzuki GSX-R1000R in a red and blue livery to symbolize our association with Yoshimura and Suzuki for the third year. We will also ride with the traditional number 12 plate when we return to the circuits next April.
Despite Suzuki's withdrawal from official competition, we still receive significant support from the brand and we continue to represent it in this important world championship. We will do our best to reward such confidence and return the Japanese manufacturer to the top step of the EWC podium in 2023.
We are also very grateful to our long-time partners, as well as new ones, for being by our side and supporting us for the new season. With their help, we can focus on the job at hand, build momentum and be ready to regain the title. We look forward to welcoming our many fans and supporters at the opening round of the EWC at Le Mans next April. »
The 24 Heures Motos will open the EWC season at Le Mans from April 13 to 16.
