MotoGP: If Suzuki leave MotoGP who could replace them

Last week rumours were flying around the MotoGP paddock that Suzuki may leave at the end of this season. The manufacturer that won the 2020 riders championship is no stranger to leaving MotoGP as they left before in 2011.

Today Suzuki confirmed that they do have intentions to leave MotoGP as they stated:

“Suzuki Motor Corporation is in discussions with Dorna regarding the possibility of ending its participation in MotoGP at the end of 2022.

Unfortunately, the current economical situation and the need to concentrate its effort on the big changes that the Automotive world is facing in these years, are forcing Suzuki to shift costs and human resources to develop new technologies.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our Suzuki Ecstar Team, to all those who have supported Suzuki’s motorcycle racing activities for many years and to all Suzuki fans who have given us their enthusiastic support.”

It would be a great shame if Suzuki did decide to leave the MotoGP championship. However, Dorna have stated that there is “high levels of interest from a number of both official factories and independent teams looking to join the MotoGP grid”.

The question is who are these ‘official factories’ and ‘independent teams’. Here are who is speculated to potentially take Suzuki’s place on the MotoGP grid.

Leopard Racing:

A team that has been heavily linked to joining MotoGP is the Leopard Racing Team. Leopard have been heavily successful in the Moto3 class as they have won four world titles.

But it looks like the team want to graduate from the lightweight class to the heavyweight class. With Leopards strong links to Honda Racing Corporation it is likely that the team would run satellite Honda machines.

Could this mean Honda will roll out six RC-213V’s onto the 2023 MotoGP grid.

Aprilia Satellite Team:

Now this could be an interesting team to see on the 2023 MotoGP grid. With Aprilia’s success at the start of the 2022 season the Italian manufacturer may want four bikes on the grid.

Aprilia have also lost their concessions for 2023 meaning they have less testing time. One way to combat this would be with two extra bikes and two extra riders collecting data.

If Aprilia can afford to run a second team then this would be the smart move for the Noale factory.

Marc VDS Racing Team:

The Marc VDS Racing Team have competed in MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 throughout their time in the paddock. The team competed in MotoGP from 2015 to 2018 and took a race win in 2016 with Jack Miller at Assen.

When Marc VDS were in MotoGP they ran Honda machinery throughout the whole four seasons. It is likely that if Marc VDS did return they would run Honda machinery again as a satellite team.

GasGas:

It is no secret that KTM have a large talent pool in the MotoGP paddock. With riders like: Miguel Oliveira, Brad Binder, Remy Gardner, Raul Fernandez, Augusto Fernandez and Pedro Acosta in their ranks.

GasGas was purchased by KTM in 2019 and now has a team in the Moto2 and Moto3 class. KTM could physically bring GasGas in as a title sponsor of a third KTM squad in 2023. This would mean there would be six RC16’s on the grid.

KTM could also find a way to bend the rules and enter GasGas as a complete new manufacturer. This would mean they would get concessions and could develop a slightly different RC16 under the GasGas banner. This would bring the Aspar Team back into MotoGP with GasGas.

Husqvarna:

Another manufacturer that KTM own is Husqvarna. The Swedish company was bought by the KTM group in 2013.

The same theory of GasGas could be the case for Husqvarna as they also have a Moto3 team. There could be a satellite KTM squad with Husqvarna backing or it could be a factory effort.

Max Biaggi and Sterilgarda could find their way up to MotoGP with the Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing Team.

Other Manufacturers:

I personally do not believe that any new manufacturers who are outside of the MotoGP paddock would enter the paddock for 2023. The cost of joining and developing a bike to enter the class would not be healthy for the likes of Kawasaki or BMW. Two big brands in motorcycle racing who are fully focused on World Superbikes.

Come and discuss your opinion with us on the Superbike Show on Motorsport Radio.

Images from MotoGP.com