Alex Rins was able to verify in 2021 the relevance of the adage which says that when you are happy in love, you are rather unhappy in business. And indeed, if the Spaniard had the joy of becoming a father, the Suzuki official experienced a campaign that only a podium won at Silverstone avoids being evaluated as a shipwreck. 11 times in the points on the 18 occasions consumed, he finished in a modest thirteenth final position, unworthy of a Suzuki official. Meanwhile, his teammate Joan Mir stood on a satisfactory podium, despite being the symbol of the loss of the title...
An overall assessment which brings us to the general situation of Suzuki, a manufacturer which only fields two GSX-RRs and whose ranks are no longer completely filled since the departure of Davide Brivio, the team manager. The evolution of the motorcycle seems to come from homeopathy and if Joan mir start looking elsewhere, at alex rins, we are not in a position to seduce anyone after the last campaign experienced… In 2022, he is preparing to experience the sixth season with the Hamamatsu manufacturer.
Before looking ahead to the next campaign, he remembers the previous one: “ the start was very hard. There was speed but I couldn't finish the races, I always fell. It was very complicated for all the falls, for the irregularity I had and for everything that happened. I didn't finish in the positions I wanted, because I would have liked to be at the front and win the races. At least I found something good in the bike which allowed me to finish the season better ».
« A lot of things went through my head, but behind me there is a team of people, including my sponsors like Nolan, to support me. Thanks to them, the most difficult moments are better overcome he says. " We stayed united. Of course there were good times, others more difficult, times of decline, but they always tried to be close to me at Suzuki. Just the fact that they were with me through thick and thin helped me ».
On these general conditions, alex rins nevertheless identifies a lack of rapid reaction from his employer: “ we missed a few things, who arrived later than our rivals » he declares with complete clarity on Moto sprint. " For example, the motorcycle leveling device arrived mid-season when others had already been using it for some time. With the balance of power there is on the track today, those few tenths you gain with something new are very noticeable ". And he insists: “ it makes a lot of difference, especially when exiting corners because the bike stays lower and helps with acceleration ».
Alex Rins: “ the 2021 season taught me to better manage races, and to be a father«
On the sequence of events, the Spaniard comments: “ I've been with Suzuki for a long time now. I am very comfortable with them, they support me, they have trusted me for a long time and continue to believe in my abilities. I am happy to be part of this team ". But… " I am open to everything, Suzuki is doing very well with me, I would like to continue with them ».
For 2022, his grievances are those of a teammate Joan Mir whose regularity he envies: “ I hope we can get a better bike. During testing we tried the new version of the GSX-RR and progress was made. I hope to be more competitive ". And there is also this: “ the figure of a manager in a team is necessary. I thought everything could go well anyway, and that's how it happened, but such a figure was missing ».
A setting, a character that Suzuki still hasn't found one, although the brand announced that the position was open. SO Kidneys said out loud what everyone hopes for: the return of Davide Brivio : " Honestly, I would love for him to come back. When the news of his possible return broke, I wrote to him on Whatsapp: 'Come on Davide, come back'. He told me he still had a year left on his F1 contract and was considering continuing. I have a very special relationship with him. If they asked me for an opinion, I would be in favor of his return ».
Waiting, alex rins can enjoy his only real satisfaction in 2021: the birth of his son Lucas: “ fatherhood has changed me, but not that much. I mean right now I'm still the same person as before and I do the same things. I'm just happier to have Lucas and my wife by my side for support ". Finally, what will the pilot remember Suzuki of this 2021 season? “ She taught me how to better manage races, and how to be a father ».
