Suzuki has got its problems right now both in MotoGP and the WSBK series, although the Alstare team has moved to try and keep things afloat in the WSBK.
The Alstare Suzuki team will drop to one bike with Leon Haslam gone to BMW apparently due to a lack of factory support.
The team will continue in WSBK but no rider has been announced yet for the coming season and no real investment terms in the team have been revealed either.
Alstare’s woes in the WSBK are in stark contrast to what was an exciting and competitive season for the team with Leon Haslam coming close to stealing the championship away from Max Biaggi.
Haslam will now go to BMW and work with Troy Corser on making the S1000RR great.
The move to field just one bike proves that Suzuki is having financial problems and that racing is not a priority at the moment.
This is reinforced by a looming possible pull-out from the MotoGP at the end of the 2011 season when team contracts expire.
According to reports Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta is basically in crisis talks with Suzuki over its MotoGP participation for the coming year as Rizla Suzuki possibly considers a one–bike format.
Suzuki can’t pull its team at the moment and doing so would cost just as much as continuing due to likely fines from Dorna, so we will still see the team on the grid next year.
But the possibility at the moment is that it’s just a matter of time….