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 |
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title
