Joan Mir and Alex Rins have high hopes for the new Suzuki developments – focus on corner exit from slow corners and more topspeed
“It looks like Suzuki have done more work than I expected,” Joan Mir records ahead of the two days of official MotoGP testing in Sepang, Malaysia. The new GSX-RR is not only visually striking with a black background for Mir’s and Alex Rins’ starting numbers.
Technical upgrades have also been made. At the shakedown test, when Sylvain Guintoli and Takuya Tsuda rode for three days on the Sepang track, there were some details to see. These were a chassis with carbon reinforcements, a new tank shape, a new swingarm and a new fairing.
Has Suzuki responded to the failures in Japan? “They realised it last year,” says Mir. “Suzuki has been working, but the competition has improved more significantly than us. The Japanese don’t like that and they certainly don’t want that to happen again. “
“We have won a world title. Suzuki have more pressure now. They want to win again. For this year they have made a lot of efforts to bring a lot of new things.” Above all, the engine is said to have got a bit more horsepower.
Focus on corner exit
In conjunction with the improved ride-height system, electronics and new winglets, Suzuki expects better performance at corner exit and ultimately higher top speed. The problem was slow corners and hairpins.
“Already at the Jerez test we tested the new engine,” says Rins. “The data shows that we have a little more power on the straights. We need to confirm that here. In Jerez we found more grip at the exit of slow corners. That was our problem. “
“But it wasn’t a grip problem, we had too many wheelies. The competition was able to keep the front wheel on the ground and take metres off us. This test is about confirming everything that was good in Jerez. Sylvain has also already tested the new fairing. “
Sepang is a fast, technical track with different corners. However, Rins believes that they will have to wait until the season opener in Qatar (March 6) to get a realistic picture of the balance of power in the field.
“At the first race we will see how well we have improved the bike,” says the Spaniard. “Until I fight with the other bikes on the straights, I won’t know. I have a good feeling, but we won’t know until the first race. “
Qualifying more important than ever
In sum, Suzuki is hoping for a step forward in the overall package. The starting positions are also becoming more and more important. If you don’t start from the first two rows, you have practically no chance of winning.
“Qualifying is going to be more important than ever,” Mir insists. “Qualifying is not my strength, but it’s also not the strength of the bike. But in Portimao and Valencia I was fighting for pole position. We are improving in this area. “
“There is not much a rider can do on the straight. You don’t want to follow a Ducati in the race. This year we want more than third in the championship. We want to win races and fight for the World Championship title,” the 2020 champion states clear objectives.
An important year for the future of both riders
Will the Sepang test also be important for Mir in terms of his personal future? “Yes, but it is also too early for that,” answers the Majorcan. “For many riders, the contract ends in 2022. Honestly, this test will be very important for me to understand everything. “
“I feel comfortable and at home here. But a change can also be good. I can’t say more at the moment, nothing is decided. Suzuki has done a lot of work, but I haven’t tried this bike yet. These two days of testing will be very important. “
But for Rins, too, it’s all about the future after last year’s disappointing finish (only 13th in the World Championship). “This season is very important for me,” says the three-time race winner in the premier class. “My goal for this season is to find again the good feeling of 2020.”
“Two years ago I was going very fast. I have to find that again. I have to learn from the bad things of last year. Maybe I had too high expectations last year because I was third in the World Championship in 2020. In 2021, the World Championship title was not realistic. I have to find consistency. At the end of the year, of course, I would be happy if I won the World Championship. I’m taking it one race at a time. “
