Alex Rins believes Suzuki has made a 'very importan🔯t step' with its GSX-RR M🧸otoGP engine for 2022.

The end of the covid technical freeze means Suzuki is able to alter its engine design for the first time since Qatar 2020ജ.

The factory was the first to test a 2022-spec engine with its MotoGP race riders at the Qatar test in March. The engine has steadily evolved since then, leading to the version seen on track during the final outing of the year, at Jerez🌄 last week.

“We worked with the new engine, some ne🌺w fairings, general set-up, swingarm𒆙, many things!" said Alex Rins, who set the sixth fastest lap time.

"And we’re happy with how things are going, especially with the engine which seems to have more speed and power. After a back-to-back comparison with the 2022 engine and the 20🐽21 engine, we can feel that we have made a very importa🅷nt step.”

If the engine is living up to expectations, it seems t🗹he latest ༺aerodynamics will need further modifications.

"Looks like the engine i෴s working good but we still need to work in some [aerodynamics]," Rins said.

"We tried different fairings that more-or-less were working quite good. Not the big effect that we were waiting for. But looks okay. Looks like we are doing a good package fo༺r next year."

Asked i🍌f he knew who the new Suzuki team manager will be, Rins reiterated: "We will have someone, but sincerely I don’t know who and I didn't ask. I'm in that phase [where] I'm asking more for a better cowling!🐻"

Rins and team-mate🌱 Joan Mir (ninth fastest) were joined on track not just🦄 by Sylvain Guintoli but also Japanese test rider Takuya Tsuda.

Combined with the numerous new parts, it was a strong signal that the factory is taking seriously forജmer world champion Mir's concerns that bike development was too slow this seasoℱn.

"To have Sylv🔜ain here is a good thing," Rins said. "I was talking before with him and sincerely we have the same comments about the new chassis, new engine. So this means we are going the same💦 way. This is important."

Guintoli added: “We are going through a period of intense testing now, with many days spent on track as we have many items to try. Tsuda and I are doing a lot of work to deliver Joan and Alex some good options, and it looks like they are giving important im📖provements.

"Suzuki has worked on many, many items such as engine, chassis, fairings, electronics and other smaller details. Some⛄ of them are🅷 big changes, others are minor, but overall there is a lot to try."

Suzuki Project Leader and Team Director Shౠinichi Sahara left the test satisfied: "I must say that the early feedback is very positive and we will go forward with our minds set in the right direction.”

Rins and Mir will next be on 🌊track at the Sepang test, next February.