Suzuki underwent a major shake-up in 2021 when team boss Davide Brivio stepped down to join Formula 1 with Alpine.

The project’s leader, Shinichi Sahara , became the de facto director of the ensemble. Suzuki opted not to directly replace Brivio and instead set up a seven-person management committee.

The Japanese admits that the new role in 2021 was overwhelming for him and they are in the process of finding a replacement for Brivio, although it is ruled out that the Italian will return.

“My new role as team manager, it was too much for me,” Sahara said. “It overwhelmed me. But everything was done correctly with the support of the team members. So I am very satisfied in that aspect. I am trying to create a new structure for next year, to bring in a new team manager. It is in the final stages of getting ready.

Shinichi Sahara, leader of the Suzuki project in MotoGP

Suzuki claimed its first MotoGP title since 2000 last year with Joan Mir, and the Hamamatsu-based brand also won the team championship. However, the defense did not go well and they ended 2021 without a win. The Spaniard could only get six podiums in 18 races, due to the lack of development of the GSX-RR, while Álex Rins barely did one.

Reflecting on Suzuki’s season, Sahara commented: “Last year we won the drivers’ title and also the teams’ title. Compared to this, it’s been very difficult, a very tough season for us.”

“Before we started the season we decided not to be defending champions, we decided to go back to being contenders for first place in every race. But as a result, we had some difficult moments in the middle and also at the beginning of the season.”

“Fortunately we still have two strong drivers. Joan is still very consistent and has speed. We need something to get more speed and results.”

“As everyone knows, the Suzuki sometimes finds it difficult in qualifying. [That] costs us the result in the race, so it’s very difficult.”

Gallery: all Suzuki bikes and riders in MotoGP

2002: Kenny Roberts Jr

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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2002: Sete Gibernau

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Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2002: Akira Ryo*

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*wild card

Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2002: Yukio Kagayama*

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*substitution

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2003: Kenny Roberts

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Photo by: Richard Sloop

2003: John Hopkins

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Photo de: Richard Sloop

2003: Yukio Kagayama*

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*substitution

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2003: Akira Ryo*

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*wild card

Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2004: Kenny Roberts

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Photo by: Suzuki MotoGP

2004: John Hopkins

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Foto de: Suzuki

2004: Gregorio Lavilla*

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*wild card and substitution

Photo by: Suzuki MotoGP

2004: Yukio Kagayama *

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* sustitución

2005: Kenny Roberts

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Photo by: Suzuki MotoGP

2005: John Hopkins

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Foto de: Suzuki MotoGP

2005: Nobuatsu Aoki*

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*wild card and substitution

Photo by: Gauloises Fortune Racing

2006: John Hopkins

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Foto de: Crescent Suzuki

2006: Chris Vermeulen

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Photo de: Todd Corzett

2006: Kousuke Akiyoshi *

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* wild card

Foto de: Crescent Suzuki

2007: John Hopkins

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Foto de: Crescent Suzuki

2007: Chris Vermeulen

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Photo de: Crescent Suzuki

2007: Kousuke Akiyoshi *

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* wild card

Foto de: Crescent Suzuki

2007: Nobuatsu Aoki *

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* wild card

Foto de: Crescent Suzuki

2008: Chris Vermeulen

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Photo de: Crescent Suzuki

2008: Loris Capirossi

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Photo by: Crescent Suzuki

2008: Ben Spies*

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*wild card and substitution

Photo by: Crescent Suzuki

2008: Kousuke Akiyoshi *

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* wild card

Foto de: Crescent Suzuki

2008: Nobuatsu Aoki*

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*wild card

Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2009: Loris Capirossi

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Photo by: Crescent Suzuki

2009: Chris Vermeulen

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Photo de: Crescent Suzuki

2010: Alvaro Bautista

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Photo by: Crescent Suzuki

2010: Loris Capirossi

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Photo by: Crescent Suzuki

2011: Alvaro Bautista

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Photo by: Crescent Suzuki

2011: John Hopkins*

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*wild card and substitution

Photo by: Crescent Suzuki

2014: Randy de Puniet*

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*wild card

Photo de: Suzuki MotoGP

2015: Maverick Vinales

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Photo by: Suzuki MotoGP

2015: Aleix Espargaró

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Photo by: Suzuki MotoGP

2016: Maverick Vinales

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Photo by: Suzuki MotoGP

2016: Aleix Espargaró

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Photo by: Suzuki MotoGP

2017: Alex Rins

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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2017: Andrea Iannone

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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2017: Takuya Tsuda *

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* sustitución

Foto de: Suzuki MotoGP

2017: Sylvain Guintoli*

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*substitution

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2018: Andrea Iannone

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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2018: Alex Rins

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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2018: Sylvain Guintoli*

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* wild card

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2019: Alex Rins

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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2019: Joan Mir

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Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2020: Alex Rins

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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2020: Joan Mir

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Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2021: Alex Rins

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Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

2021: Joan Mir

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Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images