Suzuki has hired Livio Suppo as its new MotoGP Team Manager as he makes his return to the premier class after leaving it few years back.
Having ended his tied with Honda, Suppo found his own e-bike company outside the paddock. But now he feels the right time to return to the MotoGP world as the new Team Manager of Suzuki, who were looking for a replacement after Davide Brivio left the team.
They tried to work through without a manager by dividing the role in 2021 while they scouted for a perfect talent. It took them a while but they have finally signed Suppo who will join the team before the 2022 opener in Qatar next month.
“I’m very happy to announce the news of Livio Suppo as our new Team Manager before the new season starts,” said Shinichi Sahara. “I’m confident that Livio is very well suited for the position, because he has a lot of experience and a big passion for winning. He understands how teams work and that team atmospheres are important when it comes to being competitive consistently during a season.
“Some of our crew members already have experience of working with him, and I’ve known him for a long time because he’s been in the paddock for many years. We’ve already seen promising signs and improvements in our performance during winter testing, and I believe Livio joining us will bolster our team further and we will become even stronger.”
At the same time, Suppo added: “I am very proud to become Suzuki Ecstar’s Team Manager and happy to re-join the MotoGP Championship after four years. I’m also very honoured to be involved in this great project with Suzuki; for sure it will be a challenging task to be part of an historic manufacturer in MotoGP, who recently achieved the crown in 2020 in the year of their 100th anniversary.
“I also feel it will be a great experience to start working with two talented riders like Joan Mir and Alex Rins, both capable of fighting for the top in MotoGP. Sahara-san’s proposal came at the perfect time for me, I had been busy setting up my e-bike company but I was certainly missing the paddock and ready to come back. Racing has been my life for almost all my career and I will do my best to bring my experience to Team Suzuki Ecstar.
“I know they are a great team, but also a great group of humans, so this could help a lot to achieve our goals sooner. MotoGP nowadays is more and more exciting, with many very fast riders and competitive motorcycles from all manufacturers. It’s a difficult challenge for everybody involved, where all the small details can make the difference, I am ready to be part of the game again and give my all to be on top with Suzuki.”
