Qatar MotoGP: Livio Suppo: 'Let's make sport, not war!'

This weekend's Qatar MotoGP will see Livio Suppo return to the paddock as a team manager for the first time since the end of the 2017 season.

After overseeing world championship success for both Ducati and Honda, Suppo is making his comeback with Suzuki, which has been without a team manager since Davide Brivio left for F1 over a year ago.

Speaking ahead of his first Suzuki grand prix, Suppo said: “I’m very excited to start working with the Suzuki Ecstar team - Joan, Alex, and the whole crew.

"Of course, I will do my best to come back to the paddock and adapt as quickly as possible to the team and their way of working, I’m looking forward to starting."

Making reference to the conflict in Ukraine, Suppo added:

"However, I’d like to underline that it’s important this weekend to try and give some smiles for a few hours to the people who are suffering in these moments. And good luck to everybody. Let’s make sport, not war!”

Suzuki will face the 2022 season with an unchanged line-up of former world champion Joan Mir and triple race winner Alex Rins, riding an upgraded GSX-RR.

The factory may have been criticised for not matching the technical progress of its rivals last year, but Suzuki has responded with well-received modifications in almost every area - including engine performance.

The only item that didn't work as planned was the new wings, meaning Mir and Rins are set to start Qatar on the 2021 aerodynamics.

“In the pre-season test sessions, we felt progression with our bikes with some updates from the Hamamatsu factory," said project leader and team director Shinichi Sahara. "Those new items have been put into play by the team, and both Joan and Alex adapted very quickly during the winter.

"Joan is Joan, he is one of the best riders and super motivated. Alex showed speed and consistency in the winter testing that worried all his rivals. So, I can say we are ready and in very good shape.

"But I also think we still have some room for another step of improvement to be even stronger in terms of bike performance and team management. The factory in Hamamatsu never stop developing and pushing, and we also plan on some further updates for the GSX-RR during the season.

"Our new team manager, Livio Suppo, will also reinforce the team’s performance. I'm quite confident his knowledge and experience will bring extra strength to us.

"Now what we should do for the race weekend is keep our heads cool to avoid any mistakes, we are ready!”

Neither Suzuki rider has previously finished on the Qatar podium, each taking a best of fourth place in last year's back-to-back season openers.

“Starting the season in Qatar is fantastic, it’s what we always think of when we think about the opening round!" said Mir, who endured a winless title defence in 2021. "The darkness and the lights make it a very special race with a different atmosphere compared to everywhere else.

"I have been taking time in this break to rest but also to train very hard, and the team have done a great job all winter, this weekend we’ll begin our work with Livio, so I feel ready to start!”

After a 2021 season blighted by falls, Rins has been among the fastest riders for average pace in testing.

“I like visiting Qatar, as soon as you arrive you know you’re about to start another adventure and another new season!" he said. "I can feel that the 2022 GSX-RR has a lot of potential and I’m eager to go on track for the first time on Friday.

"We will welcome our new team manager into the team this weekend, and I can’t wait to work all together.”