Suzuki up the game for Mir
New engine, chassis and ride height kit
A ringing endorsement from reigning World Champion Fabio Quartararo boosted Suzuki in their mission to keep prized asset Joan Mir onboard for 2023 and beyond.
Mir was critical of a lack of development with the GSX-RR last season and timidly surrendered his championship crown without notching a single victory.
The sought-after Spaniard made it clear on the eve of last weekend’s Sepang test that he would use the pre-season campaign to gauge Suzuki’s progress before assessing his future prospects.
Talks have started between Mir and Suzuki boss Shinichi Sahara, and while declaring himself happy with the Hamamatsu factory, the ambitious 24-year-old has put potential pursuers on red alert by saying he’d be open to a seat change.
Repsol Honda are rumoured to be sniffing around a big-money deal for the Spaniard’s services, but that was emphatically denied in Malaysia by HRC boss Alberto Puig.
So, Suzuki’s under-pressure race department would have been relieved to hear Mir give a new engine, chassis, swingarm and rear ride height device a positive reception after he finished just over 0.2s away from the top three in Malaysia.
Mir said: “I understand the potential of the new bike and I have no complaints.”
With Mir’s teammate Alex Rins also inside the top four on both days in Sepang, Quartararo could only
‘I understand the potential of the new bike’
look on in envy at the strides made by Suzuki compared to his Yamaha.
The Frenchman commented: “Suzuki were the biggest surprise. Alex and Joan were really fast with new and used tyres.”