Suzuki became the last MotoGP outfit to unveil their 2021 bike in the presence of the whole team along with riders Joan Mir and Alex Rins.
Defending champions Suzuki were the last MotoGP team to unveil its 2021 bike from the Losail International circuit in the presence of the whole team along with its riders Mir and Rins – the former also defending his riders’ world championship.
The livery from Suzuki abode the GSX-RR didn’t change much for 2021 from 2020, but there was an addition of Monster Energy, with the company joining the reigning MotoGP champion outfit. With Yamaha, they have two teams to partner in 2021.
Upon the launch, Shinichi Sahara – Project Leader and Team Director said: “The 2020 was a fantastic season for us, as winning World title for the rider and the Team. This 2021 season will be a challenging one for us, as we are aiming to achieve even better result than last year, but I’m confident that we will be able to take on this important role and fight to get great results.
“Due to the Covid restrictions it is going to be another very strange season, and the freezing of the engine development leaves us with fewer areas to adjust and work on, so the level of competition will be just as high as last year. For sure we are facing a new era in our team, with the new organisation that we had to put in place: so I will be more present at the races, and I will be supported by all the team members in their respective responsibilities.
“We have grown a mature and solid team so I am fully confident that together we will find the best way to be efficient and effective. Both Joan Mir and Alex Rins have done a lot of winter preparation, they have arrived motivated and determined ahead of this new season, so we will give our 100% to provide them with the best conditions and tools to perform well and fight for top positions.”
Among the riders, MotoGP champion Mir, stated: “This new season seems like it will be a thrilling one with a lot of quick contenders. Despite winning last year I don’t consider myself as the ‘favourite’ for this season, because I believe that there is still a lot of work to do and big results to achieve.
“But nevertheless, I come into 2021 as ‘the man to beat’, and for sure there is some pressure surrounding that. Honestly I don’t mind it – I see it as a positive thing because pressure has always given me an extra push rather than holding me back. Again it is going to be a strange season with this Covid pandemic and all the travel restrictions, but I do hope that things will go better and better not only for us, the MotoGP family, but also for all our fans around the world.
“I left my GSX-RR last year with very good feelings, the limitations on the development prevented big steps of improvement, but I’m confident that the R&D department in Suzuki and our track engineers and mechanics have found some steps to improve.”
And Rins added: “All winter I’ve been looking forward to getting back on track! I have done a lot of training, especially with my track bike, but nothing actually beats riding my GSX-RR. I think this year could be a great one for us, we have a strong team and a strong bike. We’re more motivated than ever, and we know that our bike is able to win so we’re ready to fight. The calendar is quite full, despite everything, and there are many fast riders, so building a consistent campaign will be the key as always.”
Here’s selection of photos and launch video from Suzuki:
Here’s some more photos: https://www.motogp.com/en/gallery/2021/03/06/photo-gallery-2021-team-suzuki-ecstar-launch/362624
Here’s how shakedown test panned out
2021 MotoGP launches:
LCR (Alex Marquez), LCR (Takaaki Nakagami)
