After months of speculation regarding Suzuki’s future plans in MotoGP, the Hamamtsu manufacturer has now officially announced that they are withdrawing from the MotoGP championship.
In a very brief statement issued today, Suzuki decision to pullout is largely based on the global economic crisis, however they are looking towards a return in 2014.
“Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to suspend temporarily its participation in FIM Road Racing Grand Prix MotoGP from 2012.
This suspension is to cope with tough circumstances mainly caused by the prolonged recession in developed countries, a historical appreciation of Japanese Yen and repeated natural disasters.
Having an eye to returning to MotoGP in 2014, Suzuki will now focus on developing a competitive new racing machine for that class.
Suzuki will continue motocross racing activity and support of road racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles, by obtaining FIM homologation and co-operation with the supplier of its development racing kit parts.
The decision to withdraw means that only Honda, Yamaha and Ducati will have a factory presence in MotoGP next year and still imprecise number of CRTs.