Suzuki re-signs Mir to complete MotoGP line-up
Suzuki will have an unchanged rider line-up for the 2021 and 2022 seasons after Joan Mir followed in the wheeltracks of Alex Rins in signing a contract extension.
Mir, 22, becomes the sixth rider to confirm his place on next year's grid, while Suzuki joins only the factory Yamaha team in completing its future rider line-up.
Suzuki will have an unchanged rider line-up for the 2021 and 2022 seasons after Joan Mir followed in the wheeltracks of Alex Rins in signing a contract extension.
Mir, 22, becomes the sixth rider to confirm his place on next year's grid, while Suzuki joins only the factory Yamaha team in completing its future rider line-up.
"I'm happy to announce that I will continue with Suzuki for the 2021 and 2022 seasons," said Mir, currently awaiting the start of his second premier-class season.
"I would like to announce it under different circumstances, at a race, but this is how it is. I will be in these colours for a minimum of three years more. Thanks to Davide and Suzuki for their support and confidence in me.
"We are growing up every race and every test and I think we have a really good potential.
"I hope to continue improving this season and then show much more in the next two seasons. My expectation is to be on top with Suzuki, to become one of the top riders in MotoGP.
"I think we can achieve it, which is why I chose Suzuki, who gave me the opportunity to join MotoGP after just one year in Moto2."
As with Rins' renewal, Suzuki is thought to have had first refusal on Mir for 2021.
“I would like to thank Joan for trusting us with his future and also the whole Suzuki Motor Corporation who supports us. Being able to extend the agreements with both Alex Rins and Joan Mir during such an extraordinary and strange moment in history is a sign that give us high hopes for the future, and encouragement to all the fans to look ahead with positivity and optimism, with the hope of being able to get back on track as soon as possible.”
Despite the occasional breathing difficulty, Mir would pick up where he had left off on his return, finishing outside the top ten just once in the last seven races, including a best of fifth at Phillip Island. The Spaniard also showed he wasn't intimidated by the premier-class when fighting his corner after criticism from Danilo Petrucci at Sachsenring and a penalty from Race Direction for contact with Johann Zarco at Sepang.
Although Mir comfortably got the better of reigning Moto2 champion Francesco Bagnaia in the championship standings, both were blown away by the achievements of fellow rookie Fabio Quartararo. Mir, the only 2019 rookie at a factory team, will be expected to challenge the Frenchman much more closely this year, not to mention putting team-mate and double race winner Rins under pressure.
The signs in winter testing were positive, Mir proving a close match for Rins while many rivals cast envious glances at the strong form of the latest GSX-RR…
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
