Dorna Matters Statement Regarding Suzuki’s Withdrawal From MotoGP, Reminder Of Contract Obligations

Dorna has officially responded to information that Suzuki will withdraw from MotoGP at the end of the 2022 season.

Dorna pointed out that Suzuki has signed a five-year contract to race MotoGP from 2022 to 2026 and that they do not have the right to unilaterally terminate the contract.

This statement is a warning to Suzuki that withdrawing will have legal consequences. Dorna changed their contract with the factories after Kawasaki pulled out of MotoGP at the end of 2008.

Previously, Dorna had a contract with MSMA, representing all participating factories, which gave them no leverage over individual parties.

Since 2016, Dorna has contracted with each plant separately, giving them a much stronger enforcement mechanism. If Suzuki goes ahead with its plan to withdraw, they will face serious legal consequences.

Dorna’s statement also indicates that there is no shortage of interest in MotoGP. Teams interested in using two grid slots will be freed when Suzuki retires, meaning they believe they will be able to maintain the grid at 24 bikes for the foreseeable future.

MotoGP mesh slots are more valuable to teams than Moto2 or Moto3, as they are more subsidized by Dorna.

So far, no statement has been made from Suzuki. It is currently ‘Ōgon Shūkan’, or Golden Week in Japan, a national week during which many offices are closed.

That might help explain why the team has yet to issue a press release, as it would be impossible to get such a statement to be officially signed off by Suzuki HQ in Hamamatsu. That also makes the timing of the Suzuki statement all the more curious.

Dorna’s official statement appears below:

Following recent rumors that Suzuki will be leaving MotoGP™ at the end of 2022, Dorna Sports has officially contacted the factory to remind them that the conditions of their contract to race MotoGP™ do not allow them to single-handedly. side making this decision.

However, if Suzuki departs according to the agreement between the two parties, Dorna will decide on the ideal number of riders and teams in the MotoGP ™ class from 2023.

Dorna continues to receive a high level of interest from a number of official mills and Independent Teams keen to join the MotoGP™ network as the sport continues to set a global example of tight, innovative competition. and entertainment, reaching hundreds of millions of fans around the world.

Interest from these parties has been reconfirmed in the last 24 hours.

Source: Dorna; Photo: Suzuki Racing