Suzuki: Riders gave same requests with new engine, chassis

Suzuki will provide a new specification of engine and chassis at the Sepang pre-season MotoGP test following the consistency of feedback from its riders
Suzuki: Riders gave same requests with new engine, chassis

Suzuki’s technical manager Ken Kawauchi confirms a new specification of engine and chassis will be provided at the Sepang pre-season test following the consistency of feedback and requests from all its MotoGP riders at the end of last season.

With rookie Joan Mir joining Alex Rins in the team’s MotoGP race rider line-up from this season, with Sylvain Guintoli retained as test rider, all were eager for Suzuki to find more power from their rider-friendly GSX-RR.

During Suzuki’s online reveal of its 2019 MotoGP challenger, technical chief Kawauchi confirmed a 2019 prototype engine will be available at the Sepang official test (February 6-8) based off the response from all its riders at the post-season tests at Valencia and Jerez last November.

“After the end of last season we had clear ideas on what we needed to improve in our package and performances,” Kawauchi said. “All our riders gave us pretty much the same requests, feedback, and directions and we have now finalised a package that will hopefully prove to be effective.

“We have developed a new spec engine, a new spec chassis, and we’ve made some improvements in the electronics and also in the fairing.”

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Since returning to MotoGP in 2015, the Japanese manufacturer felt its development progress was hampered throughout 2017 due to its engine specification selection – with its development freeze locking in its choice for the year – but were able to recover last season with a total of nine rostrums secured between Rins and former team-mate Andrea Iannone.

Kawauchi has given a nod to avoiding the same mistake in the new MotoGP campaign while also retaining its strengthens in rideability.

“This is in line with Suzuki’s philosophy - which is not to destroy and rebuild from nothing, but to continue to grow step by step on what we have already achieved,” he said. “For us the rideability of the bike is a must, and on that basis we’ve tried to improve every area of the bike without compromising the overall balance.”