Suzuki has yet to find a replacement in MotoGP

After being abandoned by Suzuki at the end of the 2022 season, the world's most prestigious motorcycle racing event, MotoGP, seems to be struggling to attract new manufacturers.

Dorna Sports as the MotoGP promoter himself said that he already had several manufacturers who were interested in taking the seat left by Suzuki.

It's just that the slot has yet to be filled by another manufacturer to date, something that is unlikely to change based on FIM President Jorge Viegas' statement.

"At the moment, we (only) have all the manufacturers in MotoGP," Viegas was quoted as saying. GridOto.com, Friday (21/4/2023).

"Kawasaki and BMW are not interested (in MotoGP)," he said.

The admission is all the more interesting, given that rumors had swirled that BMW was one of the manufacturers Dorna Sports was referring to.

At that time, many people thought that BMW would shift their focus from factory motorcycle racing, namely WorldSBK, to MotoGP.

But with a statement from Jorge Viegas, the rumor is now just a rumor.

On the same occasion, Viegas gave another statement that is no less interesting, namely that Suzuki will return to MotoGP.

When saying 'goodbye' to MotoGP in May 2022, Suzuki said that the economic situation and the development of new technologies in the automotive world were at the root of the decision.

This was confirmed by Viegas, although he remains confident that Suzuki will return to MotoGP.

"Starting from Covid and then the global economic conditions, certainly their situation (Suzuki) is not easy," said Viegas.

"When I spoke to the number one person at Suzuki, he said they were withdrawing from MotoGP because they were preparing a new type of engine," he added.

"I personally believe that Suzuki will return (to MotoGP), but I don't know exactly when," he concluded.

Since Suzuki left, MotoGP is now followed by five surviving manufacturers, namely Honda, Yamaha, Ducati, Aprilia and KTM.

There is indeed a new name through GASGAS, but considering that the manufacturer's role is only in the form of a main sponsor and continues to use KTM bikes, it doesn't feel right to call GASGAS a new manufacturer.