It's over: Suzuki leaves the world of Grand Prix. Here is the opportunity to look back at the major dates of the project since the return of the Hamamatsu firm in 2015. During its eight years of operation, the GSX-RR has experienced numerous successes, great moments, suspended in the weather. To begin this retrospective, let's go back to 2015, to the Catalunya circuit.
The start of the 2010s was decisive for MotoGP. Indeed, the 800cc, introduced in 2007, did not suit anyone. Developing such an engine with its electronics is therefore extremely expensive. From now on, only the official teams manage to glean victories. Honda and Yamaha dominate, while Ducati then Suzuki struggle to keep up. From 2010, Suzuki, a historic manufacturer, must slow down. In 2011, they only fielded one machine given to
Alvaro Bautista, before withdrawing.
Although the GSV-R was never that competitive, the void left by the departure of the Japanese brand hurts. DORNA had to react. The year 2011, dominated by Casey Stoner on Honda, was relatively poor in show. Only 17 drivers were racing full-time, and the gaps between factory and private teams were disproportionate.
Very subjectively, we think that the first GSX-RR of the name (2015) was the most beautiful of all. Perfect line and decor. Photo: Rainmaker47
In order to increase competitiveness in the premier category, the 800cc were removed, soon replaced by the 1000cc four-stroke. The year 2012 saw the appearance of a parallel championship: CRTs (Claiming Rules Teams). Racing in Grands Prix was no longer as expensive and the future was one of standardization. The slow evolution towards the model we know today began like this. Faced with this great promise, Suzuki, whose soul is in Grands Prix, reacts. The firm is never very far from the circuits.
In 2013, decision-makers reaffirmed their desire to return to cross swords. The return was recorded in
2014 2015. The future GSX-RR, equipped with an in-line four-cylinder, is already in the pipeline; Suzuki plans a wildcard for Valencia 2014, with Randy de Puniet, who greatly assisted in the development of the prototype.
Davide Brivio, a former renowned team manager for Yamaha in both Superbike and MotoGP, is selected to lead the team to victory. Randy de Puniet was forced to retire during the first race contested by the new team, but that was not the most important thing, all eyes are on the 2015 Qatar Grand Prix.
Our national Randy is not preserved by the Japanese. As an “experienced driver”, Suzuki is banking on Aleix Espargaro, which, objectively, well deserved its factory handlebars.
The Spaniard had achieved feats on less efficient CRTs, and there is no doubt that he was already one of the best drivers in the category at the time. To accompany him, what could be better than a young prodigy. At the time,
Maverick Vinales was seen as a future great. The latter was coming off two remarkable seasons: A splendid 2013 in Moto3 crowned with a title, followed by a more than convincing 2014 in Moto2. His characteristic explosiveness could allow the team to quickly find themselves in front.
Aleix, always very proactive and incisive (at least before 2022), was already showing up in Argentina. Photo: Box Repsol.
The start of the 2015 season is more than correct. The Hispanic pair are regularly in the points, without playing at the forefront. The GSX-RR is well born, and no damage during the race is to be deplored. Then comes the Catalan Grand Prix. From the start of the weekend, the magnificent blue machines played in front. Even Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi et Marc Márquez, the three main players of this legendary season, can't help it. During the qualifying session, the impossible happens.
Big brother Espargaró, excited, takes pole position ahead of his teammate Viñales! The jubilant scenes in the parc ferme bear witness to the joy, but also the surprise of the teams. Suzuki secures a double in qualifying for the bike's eighth outing!
Incredible.
All hopes are allowed for the next day. Unfortunately for them, the harsh reality of motor sports strikes again. It takes time to be competitive, miracles are rare. From the start, Jorge Lorenzo jumped from third place and made the holeshot. The two Suzuki officials are literally swallowed up by the peloton. At the same time, Aleix Espargaró, heckled, touches Cal Crutchlow: the Englishman makes a mistake.
Aleix holds on, while Maverick struggles to keep up with the atrocious pace imposed by the leaders. The difference in performance between the machines is staggering, and would even make Fabio Quartararo jealous. In the straight, Espargaró gets a cold from Dani Pedrosa which, due to its small size, always benefited from a good burst of speed. Obviously, No. 41 is beyond his limits: He falls on the twentieth lap. Viñales failed in sixth position, beaten by Bradley Smith on a Yamaha Tech3, which says a lot about the established hierarchy.
But it doesn't matter, the team will come back. There is no doubt that this Catalan round reignited the flame on the Hamamatsu side. The year 2016 and its advantageous regulations, in addition to the concessions offered to Suzuki, are definitely not that far away.
Tomorrow we will focus on a new episode of this magnificent epic. What did you think of the attractive Espargaró/Viñales duo? Finally, is the pair the best that Suzuki has known from 2015 to 2022? Tell us in the comments, and above all, Merry Christmas to you!
Aleix could cement his legend at Suzuki, there, on this Catalunya grid. There is no doubt that this episode in his career tastes more regret than accomplishment. Photo: alberto-g-rovi
Cover photo: alberto-g-rovi
