Suzuki confirm Brivio exit ahead of Alpine switch

Mark Scott
Davide Brivio

Davide Brivio

Suzuki has announced the departure of their MotoGP team manager, Davide Brivio, ahead of his imminent switch to the Alpine F1 team.

It was first reported on Wednesday that some managerial movement was expected and Suzuki has confirmed on Thursday morning that their manager of eight years is leaving his role for a new challenge – that being Alpine F1’s new CEO as part of their staff restructure.

Brivio is certainly leaving the Japanese manufacturer on a high note having helped guide Suzuki to a World Championship double in 2020, their first pieces of silverware in 20 years.

“A new professional challenge and opportunity suddenly came to me and in the end I decided to take it,” Brivio said.

“It has been a difficult decision. The hardest part will be to leave this fabulous group of people, whom I started this project with when Suzuki rejoined the Championship.

“And it’s hard to say goodbye also to all the people who have arrived over the years to create this great team.

“I feel sad from this point of view, but at the same time I feel a lot of motivation for this new challenge – which was the key when I had to decide between renewing my contract with Suzuki or starting a completely new experience.

“Achieving a MotoGP title is something that will remain in the Suzuki history books and it will always have a special place in my life memories.

“我想深深感谢所有苏zuki management for their trust and confidence in me, which they had since the beginning.

“I would like to thank every single member of our MotoGP group in Japan and at the track, all the Suzuki network, and of course all the riders who rode for the Team in this period, especially Joan [Mir] and Alex [Rins] who did a great 2020 season.

“Joan becoming World Champion was a dream come true for me and for all the people who worked hard and accompanied me on this magnificent journey.

“I wish the best to Team Suzuki MotoGP, I hope that the results in the future will be better and better and I will always be a Suzuki fan. Thanks very much Suzuki!”

Shinichi Sahara, Team Suzuki Ecstar project leader, said the news came as shock to the team but Brivio leaves with their very best wishes.

“Sincerely, it was shocking news for us about Davide’s departure from Team Suzuki Ecstar,” Sahara said.

“It feels like somebody took a part of me, because I always discussed with him how to develop the team and the bikes, and we’ve worked together for a long time.

“In 2020 we achieved fantastic results despite the unusual and difficult situation due to Covid-19. And 2021 will be an even more important year for us to keep the momentum.

“Now we are trying to find the best way to cover for the ‘Davide loss’.

“Luckily in most cases I have had quite a similar way of thinking to him, therefore it is not so difficult to keep the direction we should go as Team Suzuki Ecstar, I think. We would like to wish him the best of luck for the future.”

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