Having returned to MotoGP full-time in 2015 and received the championship with Joan in 2020, Suzuki made the shock announcement half approach via the 2022 season that it could be ending its involvement on the finish of the marketing campaign.
Suzuki cited monetary causes in addition to altering market developments as its main motive, with the Japanese marque’s withdrawal from factory-supported racing having a knock-on impact in quite a few paddocks.
Talking in the course of the Assen World Superbike spherical on Friday, Viegas stated he believes Suzuki will in the future return to MotoGP as “they can not promote bikes if they aren’t in competitors” and is “optimistic” different manufacturers will spend money on FIM-sanctioned world championships going ahead.
“It is robust as a result of Suzuki left us,” he stated when requested by Autosport what the FIM hopes to do to draw producers to MotoGP and WSBK.
“I had the event to talk to Mr Suzuki himself in Japan, and so they stated they have been going to speculate all the cash they’d in a brand new sort of engine, blah, blah, blah.
“I feel they are going to be again. They can not promote bikes if they aren’t in competitors.
“We had two very robust years with the COVID, however I feel issues are getting a lot better now and I feel that new producers will take part each competitions – in MotoGP and [World] Superbikes, which isn’t straightforward as a result of the funding in MotoGP primarily is large.
Joan Mir, Group Suzuki MotoGP
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
“However in Superbikes it’s essential to have an excellent funding to be aggressive.
“However you see now within the Endurance [World Championship], Ducati is becoming a member of, which was not the case earlier than. They usually have the assistance of the manufacturing unit.
“So, I’m optimistic however what we’ve got to do to deliver them is to have the laws made in line with the producers – not in opposition to them, in any other case they won’t come.
“So all of that is an interactive system that we’re doing on a regular basis with the promoter, with the MSMA, and inside the FIM we talk about quite a bit. So, that is the one approach: to debate and determine.”
Viegas added that, in MotoGP phrases, it is just lacking involvement from Kawasaki and BMW – however at present there is not scope to increase on the grid’s present 5 manufacturers.
“In MotoGP, we’re lacking Kawasaki and BMW,” he stated.
“However they do not wish to come, and there is no room in the interim. Perhaps Suzuki will come again, we’ll see.”