News of Suzuki’s surprise withdrawal from the MotoGP paddock following the 2022 season devastated the team’s riders, mechanics, and managers. Outside of the Suzuki box, MotoGP organizing body Dorna was also blindsided by the troubling news. Unlike the Suzuki Ecstar team employees, though, Dorna had a legally-binding contract with Suzuki ensuring the manufacturer’s participation in the series until 2026.
Suzuki still plans to quit the Grand Prix series come 2023, but the brand will need to agree to terms with Dorna before officially withdrawing. To address the issue, Suzuki recently released a statement citing, “the need to concentrate its effort on the big changes that the Automotive world is facing in these years”. While Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta can empathize with Suzuki’s recent issues, the situation still leaves MotoGP without vital information for the future.
