MotoGP: Davide Brivio and Suzuki part ways

Team Suzuki Ecstar has confirmed this morning that team manager Davide Brivio has left the team.

Brivio has led Suzuki’s MotoGP efforts for the last eight years, since 2013, and has helped the team become a genuine force in the championship once again. He led Suzuki to their first MotoGP crown in 20 years last season, with Joan Mir clinching the crown for the first time.

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“A new professional challenge and opportunity suddenly came to me and in the end I decided to take it,’ Brivio said in today’s statement. “It has been a difficult decision. The hardest part will be to leave this fabulous group of people, whom I started this project with when Suzuki re-joined the Championship. And it’s hard to say goodbye also to all the people who have arrived over the years to create this great Team.

“I feel sad from this point of view, but at the same time I feel a lot of motivation for this new challenge – which was the key when I had to decide between renewing my contract with Suzuki or starting a completely new experience.”

Brivio has been in the MotoGP paddock for more than 20 years and has tasted success throughout his established career.

Brivio was one of the people that convinced Valentino Rossi to swap HRC for Yamaha at the end of 2003, a move that transformed the fortunes of the Yamaha factory. Alongside their partnership at Yamaha, Brivio also became a rider manager for Rossi.

Suzuki’s success last season came after years of development and leadership behind the scenes. One key aspect of their success is that Brivio chose to stick with the younger generation rather than throwing money at more experienced riders. Maverick Vinales brought the team’s first victory at Silverstone in 2016, whilst Mir and Alex Rins have brought several podiums, victories and now the title.

“Achieving a MotoGP title is something that will remain in the Suzuki history books and it will always have a special place in my life memories,” Brivio added. “I would like to deeply thank all the Suzuki management for their trust and confidence in me, which they had since the beginning.

“I would like to thank every single member of our MotoGP group in Japan and at the track, all the Suzuki network, and of course all the riders who rode for the Team in this period, especially Joan and Alex who did a great 2020 season. Joan becoming World Champion was a dream come true for me and for all the people who worked hard and accompanied me on this magnificent journey.

“I wish the best to Team Suzuki MotoGP, I hope that the results in the future will be better and better and I will always be a Suzuki fan. Thanks very much Suzuki!”