With the plan to launch the Grand Prix season on July 19 in Jerez, this is the other good news which gives faith in the future. That of the confirmation of Joan Mir at Suzuki for two more years. It follows that of Álex Rins who had signed the same extension for the Hamamatsu team two weeks earlier. All in the midst of the coronavirus crisis and its related confinement. A sign of confidence for the future declared team manager Davide Brivio. And that's good. That being said, for two years, the confidence is there. Beyond that, like a certain Marc Marquez who extended his lease to 4 years with Honda, Álex Rins is more than doubtful…
Alex Rins driver for Suzuki since 2017 and with the extension of his contract until the end of 2021, he is on his way to entering the history of the Hamamatsu firm in Grand Prix as one of the drivers who will have served the cause of the longest. brand. However, there was no question of working on this aspect during the negotiations which also confirmed Joan mir, providing the GSX-RR project with two talented young drivers for its success.
Therefore, Alex Rins and Suzuki, despite mutual esteem, have never been in the scheme of a Marc Márquez with Honda, now united for better and for worse until 2024: “ no, we didn't think about that ", said Kidneys à Motorsport-Total.com. " The trend is to sign contracts for two years. Marc surprised everyone, but that's his strategy. »
« Marc Márquez has a strategy with his 4-year contract »
« I'm sure he has a strategy, otherwise he wouldn't have done it ", valued Kidneys about his fellow Spaniard. “ But personally, I don't see any advantage. » Because if the partnership between him and Suzuki continues to run smoothly and successfully, there would be next to nothing standing in the way of a new contract extension.
In any case, a transfer elsewhere was not envisaged by Kidneys : " I know other teams have shown interest, but I haven't thought about leaving Suzuki. Suzuki wants to win and I want to win. I think we have a lot this year to celebrate the wins. We need to put all the ingredients together and stay on top. »
Despite a first season marked by injury, Suzuki has always been behind the Spaniard. The first podiums followed in 2018 and the first two victories in 2019. The big goal is the championship. Suzuki has been waiting for a world title since 2000.
Overall, the Japanese have won the crown six times in the premier category. In 1976 and 1977, Barry Sheene ushered in great success. In 1981, Marco Luchinelli won the world title and in 1982 Franco Uncini followed. In 1993, Kevin Schwantz continued the series and in 2000 Kenny Roberts Jr.. Suzuki is still waiting for fruition in the four-stroke era.
