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- Suzuki were reportedly set to announce departure at end of 2022 season on 3rd May
- Dorna says agreement between both parties is required
- Suzuki have a deal with MotoGP until end of 2026
Dorna Sports, manager of MotoGP, has offered a warning to Suzuki after reports emerged that the team is leaving the global motorcycling series at the end of the 2022 season.
Dorna has officially contacted Suzuki, reminding the team that the conditions of its contract to race in MotoGP do not allow it to take the decision to exit ‘unilaterally’.
In order to depart the series, Dorna says an agreement needs to be reached between the two parties.
According to Autosport.com, Suzuki had been expected to confirm the decision on 3rd May, but no announcement was forthcoming.
The matter is further complicated by the fact Suzuki signed a new contract with MotoGP at the start of this season, committing them to the sport until 2026.
In response to the uncertainty, Dorna has stated that it is receiving ‘high levels of interest’ from official factories and independent teams looking to join MotoGP.
The grid is currently capped at 24 bikes and Dorna will have the final say on what size it will be for 2023, whether Suzuki is allowed to leave or not.
The development comes less than two years after Spaniard Joan Mir secured Suzuki’s first championship for a rider since 2000.
The Japanese outfit had only returned to MotoGP in 2015, having initially decided to withdraw from the series in 2011. Since returning, Suzuki have amassed five wins and 34 podiums.