MotoGP rider Joan Mir has reached an agreement to remain at Suzuki Ecstar for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The Spaniard made his MotoGP debut with Japanese manufacturer in 2019, following his championship at Moto3 in 2017.
Speaking to reporters, Mir insisted he will remain at Suzuki until the end of the 2022 season before thinking to move to other MotoGP teams.
“I have already known about the renewal a few months. My manager had another offer, but I didn’t speak to another constructor. Changing bikes would have meant spending another year adapting, and I didn’t want to waste that time.” Mir said.
“I don’t think you can finish your job in just two years. Last season, I debuted in the MotoGP. I needed it to gain experience. I have to start getting results in this. In the end, I would have only been there one year, and that’s not enough to show one’s potential.” Mir added.
The 22-year-old rider admitted he feels is not far of his teammate Alex Rins’ level in almost every aspect, even if he hasn’t been able to yet show his full potential.
“Clearly, Alex was number one last season, I was rookie. Now I don’t think it’s like that, and I don’t think Suzuki thinks it either.” Mir said.
“We both want to bring Suzuki to the top positions, repeat what Kevin Schwantz did. I hope I’ll be able keep up with Rins, because we can push each other and grow on this bike.
“How can you say that from the outside without having tried the other bike? Suzuki is similar in character as the Yamaha, but it’s not the same, it’s more aggressive.
“All the riders in the first year struggled a bit to adapt because the GSX-RR must be ridden in a special way. I wouldn’t call it an easy bike, others seem more natural for a rider.” Mir added.
