Suzuki’s MotoGP future safe

Suzuki’s factory MotoGP squad will remain largely unaffected by the current global economic crisis, MCN can reveal.

The Japanese factory has announced it is to quit the world rally championship after just one campaign in 2009 because of the financial slowdown.

The news comes hot on the heels of Honda’s decision to quit Formula One and last week HRC also withdrew its factory team out of the American superbike championship, leaving British rider Neil Hodgson out in the cold.

The British-based factory MotoGP squad though, which runs Aussie Chris Vermeulen and Italian veteran Loris Capirossi, will proceed as normal.

Suzuki team boss Paul Denning told MCN: “At this time we have got no indication that there is any change to our programme for next year.

“Of course there is concern regarding the overall economic position and that has a knock on effect with regard to sponsorship revenues but there is no indication yet that we will be doing anything different other than trying to control costs as best we can and get the best possible results we can within a sensible budget.

“We have always looked at controlling costs very carefully, and fingers crossed that has put us in a reasonable position for difficult times coming up.”

Denning also confirmed that Suzuki is still in negotiation with title sponsor Rizla over an extended deal.