Suzuki: 'Best is yet to come' from Rins
Suzuki and Alex Rins have so far achieved eight podiums inclu🌠ding two victories in MotoGP.
But project leader Shinichi Sahara is confident the best is still to come, after sign♕ing the Spaniard to a further two-year deal.
The c𝔍ontract extension also means Rins will become onܫe of Suzuki's longest serving grand prix riders, remaining with the factory that gave him his premier-class debut for at least six seasons.
Suzuki and Alex Rins have so far ꦅachieved eight p🤪odiums including two victories in MotoGP.
But project leader Shi🍸nichi Sahara is confident the best is still to come, after signing the Spaniard to a further two-year deal.
The c𝄹ontract extension also means Rins will become one of Suzuki's longest serving grand prix riders, remaining with the factory that gave him his premier-c𒁏lass debut for at least six seasons.
“This renewal of two more years with Alex Rins makes me and Sಞuzuki very proud because it represents a building block in our project to grow young riders and progress alongside them," Sಌahara said.
"With this extension, we have stayed with a young, talented, determined and fast rider like Alex for a total of six years, and♛ thisไ is exactly what we aimed for when we signed him the first time in 2017.
"He has grown a lot, and with him also his crew and the whole team has grown too. We’ve achieved podiums and victories, and Iꦐ feel that the best is still 𓆏yet to come."
Rins - who beat Valentino Rossi for victory in Texas, then snatched a last-corner win from Marc Marquez at Si🔴lverstone - had been fighting for runner-up behind the reigning champion until suffering three mid-season DNFs.
The 24-year-old eventually finished fourth overall in ღthe standings, then was strong throughout winter testing on the latest GSX-RR. However, the coronavirus pandemic means♏ no races have yet been held in 2020.
"Unfortunately, the situation now doesn’t allow us to prove under race conditions all the progress that we’ve made or the results I believe we are capable of, but this Coronavirus situation ജis new for everyon🧸e and we need to adapt," Sahara said.
"For sure we a🅘re remaining upbeat, and this agreement confirms that we are alway𝕴s thinking of the future with optimism and positivity.”
It is thought that Suzuki had fir✨st-option on R💙ins' services beyond 2020 and that a similar situation exists for team-mate Joan Mir, currently waiting for his second MotoGP season and also tipped to remain at the team next year.
Peter has🌺 been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi 🐲come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
