Suzuki have confirmed they will not race in the 2012 MotoGP world championship, although they are planning to return for the 2014 season.
The Japanese manufacturer had been expected to quit the sport completely, having already lost rider Alvaro Bautista to Honda.
Spaniard Bautista finished the 2011 season in 13th place but has signed to race for the San Carlo Honda Gresini team in 2012.
A statement released by Suzuki on the official MotoGP website said: “This suspension is to cope with tough circumstances mainly caused by the prolonged recession in developed countries, a historical appreciation of Japanese Yen and repeated natural disasters. CNN International
“Having an eye to returning to MotoGP in 2014, Suzuki will now focus on developing a competitive new racing machine for that class,” it said in a statement posted on the official MotoGP website on Friday.
Japanese motor companies, along with other manufacturers, have been hit by a shutdown or cutdown in production following the March earthquake-tsunami which devastated Japan’s northeast, and floods in Thailand have disrupted the global supply chain.
Rizla Suzuki team manager Paul Denning, who had tried to encourage the company to continue racing in MotoGP, said on Twitter: “It’s now—very sadly—official. Suzuki is out of MGP for 2012/13.”
“I’m sorry for all the guys on the team, our partners, friends and fans,” he said. “Really thought we’d pulled it together—silver lining is that Suzuki has expressed its clear intention to come back in 2014. Thanks to all.”
Suzuki said it would “continue motocross racing activity and support of road racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles, by obtaining FIM (International Motorcycling Federation) homologation and co-operation with the supplier of its development racing kit parts.” AFP
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