Alex Rins only knew about Suzuki team manager Davide Brivio's plans to leave Moto﷽GP for F1 a day before it become public.

When to🐻ld, the Spaniard initially thought Brivio was joking and admits it was a 'big shoc♏k'.

"ꦓWell, this Brivio situation is new for me also, because the day before [the news] was in the media, he called me and told me, "Alex, I have something෴ to say. I'm leaving the Suzuki team."

"And I said, "OK, where are you going?👍" I was thinking it was a big joke! But it♑ was true. It was a big shock for me and for all of the team, but it's his decision."

Suzuki has opted not to replace Brivio with project leader S🍬hinichi Sahara expected to take over most of the Italian's work, for now at least.

"It looks like Suzuki doesn't want to put anybody [new] there now. If they think this, it will be the best thing, b𓆏ecause it's not easy to choose a team manager quickly," Rins said. "I think the situation in the team is good. I think we will keep it like this."

Brivio, who previously won MotoGP titles with Valentino Rossi and Yamah🍷a, was appo♏inted Suzuki team manager ahead of the factory's 2015 return.

One of Brivio's ꩵkey roles was in rider signings, including winning the signatures of🔥 Rins and newly-crowned world champion team-mate Joan Mir.

"For sure we will miss him because we were always talking a lot, doing jokes in the team with him and he also gave me good advice," Rins said. "I hope he can come t✨o some races as a visitor and I wish him good luck in Formula 1."

And would Rins have renewed with Suzuki until thꦫe end of 2023 if he had known Brivio would be leaving?

"It's a good question, bu🌠t honestly I think🦹 I would have stayed. Suzuki is a great family. Brivio is leaving, but he leaves with a lot done."

Brivio has accept🥂ed the role of racing director for the Alpine F1 team (formerly Renault).