Andrea Iannone 'betting his balls' on Suzuki MotoGP team changes

A race-winner with Maverick Vinales in 2016, Suzuki is now a distant fourth in the manufacturers' championship and has not finished above seventh so far this season.

Iannone has only scored 28 points compared to predecessor Vinales' 83 at this point last year.

Earlier this year, Suzuki announced a new project leader in Shinichi Sahara - a change Iannone said he is counting on having a positive impact.

"There were some changes at the top in Japan," said Iannone.

"When that happens, you have to reorganise everything to sort the situation.

"I'm convinced they are working hard and I'm sure we will [come back].

"On this, I put my balls on the line."

Iannone had concluded the first half of the season with a crash in Germany, his third retirement in nine races.

But he believes he "made a big step forward" during the Sachsenring round in terms of his feeling with the bike, and reckons it can be "even better" at this weekend's Brno event.

"My feeling at Sachsenring was pretty good," he said.

"We made a big step forward from Friday to Saturday, I had a great feeling with the bike.

"Regardless of any updates, I think I can have an even better feeling here.

"The important thing is that I and Suzuki have a very important and strong relationship, which gives me so much confidence."

Iannone kicked off the Czech GP with a 16th place in the opening wet practice on Friday morning.