Suzuki: Double headers suited our rivals more
Suzuki team boss Davide Brivio says the double-header races at one venue suited its MotoGP rivals more during the 2020 season.
The 2020 MotoGP calendar was heavily revised owing to the coronavirus pandemic, with the scheduled shortened to 14 rounds from 20 and centred in Europe.
Of the 14 rounds, five circuits - Jerez, Red Bull Ring, Misano, Aragon, Ricardo Tormo - held two races each.
World champion Joan Mir tended to be one of the riders who took a step forward in the second race at a repeat venue, but Brivio feels Suzuki's rivals - despite the GSX-RR generally having a strong base set-up - were able to make bigger strides from race to race.
When asked what the biggest difference for Suzuki was in 2020 compared to a normal year, Brivio said: "The preparation was different because we were all in lockdown.
"So, after the test in Qatar we had to stay all at home. But I have to say our engineers never stopped working.
"Even during the lockdown, they were keeping meetings and developing tools, analysing data.
"So, they kept working, they never stopped working. And then we tried just to be able to restart, maybe the toughest thing this year has been many times three races in a row.
"It's ok, but it's something different from the past, and also the fact we were doing two races in the same circuit in two consecutive weekends.
"This, I think, was helping more our competitors rather than us.
"We're quite quick on finding set-up on a new track, but on the second weekend our competitor came closer, making it more difficult for us to keep going.
"So, the three races for us, the back-to-back in a circuit was the most different compared to the past."
Brivio would like Mir to run the #1 plate in 2021
As champion, Mir will be allowed to run the #1 plate in 2021, which has not been seen on a MotoGP bike since Casey Stoner used it in 2012.
Mir hasn't ruled out the possibility of using the plate, but is shown on the provisional 2021 entry list as sticking with his traditional #36.
Suzuki boss Brivio says it would be nice to see Mir run the #1 next year, but the decision is ultimately the rider's.
"Somehow it would be nice, but also a rider's decision in this modern time as the number is a logo, merchandising, business related," Brivio said.
"But I would like for one year to have the number one, it would be nice. But it's up to Joan."
Related video
Previous article
MotoGP exile Rabat set for WSBK switch with Barni Ducati
Next article
Yamaha: Lorenzo could have been “excellent” MotoGP test rider
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Teams | Team Suzuki MotoGP |
| Author | Lewis Duncan |
MotoGP: No wildcard ride for Dovizioso
MotoGP: Virtual onboard at Le Mans
MotoGP: Rossi still has fight in him - Schwantz
The impossible problem Honda faces with its 2021 MotoGP bike
Honda hasn’t enjoyed an easy start to the 2021 MotoGP campaign, despite gains last season which looked to have carried over into the pre-season. Now admitting it does have issues in serious need of resolving, it faces an almost impossible task in doing so.
How Jerez underlined MotoGP's speed problem
The brutal nature of a series of crashes at Jerez has reopened the debate about whether current MotoGP speeds are beyond the safety limits of the tracks. But even if riders are supportive of the move, getting the manufacturers to find a consensus on how speed reductions should be achieved may be altogether harder
How a Crutchlow helped Miller to Jerez MotoGP redemption
Jack Miller’s tough start to life as a factory Ducati MotoGP rider left him mentally battered and bruised, but a pep talk and positive reinforcement from a surprising source aided the Australian to show his full potential with victory at the Spanish Grand Prix
What does Marc Marquez have to do to get back to his best?
Following his resounding MotoGP return with a seventh place finish in Portugal, Marc Marquez now must work to rediscover his best form before turning his attention towards results-based targets
How Yamaha's rookie-spec MotoGP star is taking charge
Fabio Quartararo is on a roll in 2021 after storming to victory at a venue five months earlier served up one of his worst races. Contrasting Portuguese GPs for Yamaha's factory duo make it hard to understand just how good its 2021 MotoGP bike is, but the Portimao weekend did at least expose one key improvement compared to 2020
The hurdles Marquez faces next in his Portugal MotoGP return
Even by Marc Marquez’s own high standards, his MotoGP comeback on Friday at the Portuguese Grand Prix will be considered a success even if he didn’t top the times. But having shown competitive pace on his first day back, both Marquez and his rivals know plenty more challenges are to come...
Where does Espargaro sit ahead of Marquez's return?
Pol Espargaro’s first results as a Honda MotoGP rider may not appear special. But dig a little deeper and a clearer picture of his performance emerges. And, as Lewis Duncan writes, it’s cause for celebration at Honda with the return of Marc Marquez set to provide Espargaro with the reference he has been missing so far this year
The "pit bull" MotoGP rookie already drawing legendary comparisons
MotoGP’s 2021 rookie crop is one of the strongest in recent years, but one is already standing out. Jorge Martin’s Doha GP heroics have courted many to compare him to numerous MotoGP legends. Autosport spoke to Pramac boss Francesco Guidotti to find out why MotoGP’s latest Spanish star is already making such an impact
