‘We want to keep the good atmosphere’

Suzuki head into 2021 as reigning champions but they no longer have team boss Davide Brivio following his departure to the Alpine Formula One team. Project leader Shinichi Sahara opened up about the team’s plans.

Who will manage the team?

We’ve established a team management committee with key people within the team. We have many skilled people, and those guys can compensate for Davide’s departure. It’s worked very well so far, and I think the team will be more united than before because previously Davide gathered all of the opinions, suggestions or requests from different areas and forwarded them on to me and others, sometimes with a filter or amplifier. Now, we can communicate directly with each other and attempt to solve and overcome this situation.

Who is on the committee?

Myself, Ken Kawauchi (tech manager), Frankie Carchedi (Mir’s crew chief), Jose Manuel Cazeaux (Rins’ crew chief), Alberto Gomez (marketing and communication), and team coordinators Mitia Dotta and Roberto Brivio.

Where does the bike need improvement?

We have to improve qualifying. The priority is the race, not the qualifying result, but for the result of the race we need to be on the first or second row. We’ll keep developing to make the laptime, adjusting the chassis stability to have more front feeling, but we’ll try to solve the problem from many directions.

How will you manage Joan vs Alex?

I have no concerns. Suzuki has never said there’s a number one and a number two. We have a good balance with both sides of the garage. They respect and help each other and one reason I don’t think we should have an external person replacing Davide is to keep this good atmosphere of the team.

Any updates on a satellite team?

Whilst I was involved, Davide was the main person speaking to teams so him leaving means I’m much busier! Half of the job is speaking to the teams at the track, the other half is making progress at the factory. I have to manage this now, but I haven’t given up on the satellite team. I will continue the job.

How important is your test Sylvain Guintoli to the project?

He’s very important for us to develop the bike and evaluate the direction in which to go. His comments are always very accurate. Physically he’s very strong, he’s consistent, and his lap-times are very close to the racers.