Suzuki picks Moto2 leader Alex Rins for all-new 2017 MotoGP line-up

Iannone had already been hired in place of Maverick Vinales, who is leaving Suzuki to fill the gap at Yamaha left by Jorge Lorenzo's switch to Iannone's former team Ducati.

Suzuki has now decided to opt for a complete change and released Espargaro in order to give Rins his MotoGP debut.

Team principal Davide Brivio said: "Alex Rins is a young rider who has already proven to have much talent, always fighting within the top positions of the world championship since his debut in every class, making him the type of rider who we want to support for the future.

"To pair Andrea Iannone, an experienced rider, with such a young talent as Alex creates a perfect combination for our challenge.

"We believe that the combination of these two riders, together with the further development of the Suzuki GSX-RR, can help us to create a strong team to compete at the maximum level."

Though Rins has not won a title since his 2011 triumph in the CEV 125cc series in Spain, he has impressed throughout his time in grand prix motorcycle racing's junior ranks.

He was in the top five in Moto3 every year from 2012-14, narrowly missing out to Vinales in the '13 title race, and was runner-up to Johann Zarco in the Moto2 championship as a rookie.

Rins has won two Moto2 races so far this year and holds an eight-point lead over Sam Lowes, who will join him in MotoGP next year having signed for Aprilia.

Aprilia is also the most likely destination for Espargaro, who had been part of the Suzuki squad since its MotoGP return last year and recently expressed disappointment at how the team was treating him in 2017 talks.

Brivio said: "It wasn't an easy choice and we feel sorry for Aleix, who we would like to thank for his hard work and the real passion he has continued to put in our project since it started.

"We wish him all the best for his future but in the meantime we will support as best as we can to try to get the best possible results together until the end of this season."

2017 MOTOGP GRID SO FAR
Yamaha: Valentino Rossi, Maverick Vinales
Honda: Marc Marquez, Dani Pedrosa
Ducati: Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovizioso
Suzuki: Andrea Iannone, Alex Rins
KTM: Bradley Smith, Pol Espargaro
Aprilia: Sam Lowes, TBC
Tech3 Yamaha: Jonas Folger, TBC
LCR Honda: Cal Crutchlow

Yet to announce riders: Marc VDS, Pramac Ducati, Avintia Ducati, Aspar Ducati