Our partner David Dumain, distinguished journalist, former voice of MotoGP on Canal+, and also author, pilot, as well as involved in the English-speaking but very French adventure Brough Superior, has drawn up his inventory of a 2022 season which has not been stingy with twists and turns. Here are his red cards and his good points, positions that will inevitably get people talking…
David Dumain is a must in the French motorcycle landscape and its expertise always provides special insight as it goes off the beaten track. On FranceRacing, he gave his feelings about the 2022 MotoGP season, frank positions that we will find here, every lunchtime, until stocks last…
He began his reflection by wondering about politics KTM in terms of human resources with the case Remy gardner. He then continued on fabio quartararo, with a revelation about his offseason which made the World Champion react and stirred up those around him. Continuing on the French momentum, he stopped on the case of Johann zarco. Now he stops on the subject which shook the paddock from the end of Jerez and which is the decision taken by Suzuki to desert a MotoGP for which he had committed to remaining faithful until 2026. A move which took everyone by surprise, starting with the two riders alex rins et Joan Mir, 2020 World Champion with the brand.
An outcome that regrets David Dumain : “ the Suzuki story is a real waste! » he begins before making a new revelation: “ but you have to look at it with a little perspective. I know that if Joan Mir had not won the title in 2020, Suzuki would have retired earlier. It was not in Suzuki's plans to stay in MotoGP ».
David Dumain: “le MotoGP n’est pas très important pour la stratégie globale de Suzuki"
He adds : " as in all companies, there are people who sign contracts, budget lines which are voted on, then which are cut, this is played out at high levels. In Suzuki's senior management, it was not the plan to stay in MotoGP. There are surely people at Suzuki who thought about saving the story by re-signing a contract but for the manufacturer's management, it's a drop in the ocean ».
Like what was developed on Fabio Quartararo et Yamaha regarding the new engine, and which was contested by the French champion on his social network, it is a position which still sheds new light on the collateral events. We thus interpret differently the departure of Davide Brivio, who one cannot imagine less informed than David Dumain, towards Formula 1 as soon as the title was validated, while, throughout the 2021 campaign, he was not replaced.
David Dumain continues his momentum: “ when it came to breaking the contract, they didn't bat an eyelid. These are a few tens of millions of euros compared to the billions of euros that Suzuki has invested in an electric battery factory in India. For this project, savings had to be made. MotoGP is not very important to Suzuki's overall strategy.
He finishes : " This remains an error in my opinion. It remains a sporting showcase. The premier category has a lot of impact in emerging countries where Suzuki has decided to put its priority. Besides, for a long time, they had the huge Suzuki logo on the fairing. This allowed them to sell many small displacement cars. MotoGP is a provider of images, and Suzuki needs them. It remains a sporting waste for the Suzuki project that has been developed. It was a very good project, which some at Suzuki thought they could save, by signing a new contract with Dorna, by recruiting Livio Suppo. The determination of Suzuki bosses was stronger ».
An approach that will need to be remembered in the event that Honda and / or Yamaha decides to also hastily leave the MotoGP ship. Suzuki will it set a precedent in the short term? According to David Dumain in any case, the dimension of MotoGP among the Japanese is perhaps not as important as we think. See you tomorrow at noon, same place for new revelations…
