Suzuki targets Jorge Lorenzo for 2019 MotoGP season
Suzuki is targeting three-time MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo to partner Alex Rins for the 2019 season, Autosport understands
While Rins is all but certain to extend his relationship with Suzuki beyond the end of the year, the Japanese marque is thought to have run out of patience with Andrea Iannone and is searching for a replacement for the Italian.
Iannone has failed to live up to his role as Suzuki's lead rider since joining at the start of 2017 from Ducati, finishing 13th in last year's standings, and he has been outperformed this year by Rins, who took the team's first podium finish since 2016 last weekend in Argentina.
Lorenzo has emerged as Suzuki's preferred choice to partner Rins for 2019, with many in the team convinced that the GSX-RR would be a good match for the Ducati rider's smooth style.
After a challenging debut season at Ducati last year, Lorenzo has continued to struggle to feel comfortable aboard the 2018 version of the Desmosedici, having scored just one point in the opening two races of the season.
His lack of results, combined with the rise of Andrea Dovizioso as Ducati's number one rider, means Lorenzo will not be able to command the €12million he earns currently if he stays put in 2019.
Set against the backdrop of growing doubts over whether Lorenzo will ever be able to fully adapt to the Ducati, a switch to Suzuki would appear to offer a clear way out of the situation.
The next three races will be critical, as a sudden resurgence in form could convince Lorenzo to stay put even with a pay cut, although Suzuki doesn't have the resources to offer him the kind of money he is currently earning.
However, Suzuki's alternatives to Lorenzo are limited, and it has decided - for now - to throw its efforts into convincing the 30-year-old to jump ship.
Previous article
MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa in doubt for Austin after wrist surgery
Next article
Marc Marquez blew easy MotoGP win in Argentina - Andrea Dovizioso
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Jorge Lorenzo |
| Teams | AB Motoracing |
| Author | Oriol Puigdemont |
Where does Honda's new MotoGP signing sit ahead of its king's return?
Pol Espargaro’s first results as a Honda MotoGP rider may not appear special. But dig a little deeper and a clearer picture of his performance emerges. And, as Lewis Duncan writes, it’s cause for celebration at Honda with the return of Marc Marquez set to provide Espargaro with the reference he has been missing so far this year
The "pit bull" MotoGP rookie already drawing legendary comparisons
MotoGP’s 2021 rookie crop is one of the strongest in recent years, but one is already standing out. Jorge Martin’s Doha GP heroics have courted many to compare him to numerous MotoGP legends. Autosport spoke to Pramac boss Francesco Guidotti to find out why MotoGP’s latest Spanish star is already making such an impact
Why MotoGP's stewards must revisit Miller and Mir's Losail clash
Despite Suzuki’s decision not to appeal against Race Direction’s refusal to penalise Jack Miller following the incident with Joan Mir in Losail, something must be done to avoid a repeat of such an incident, which could have easily ended in tragedy
Has Yamaha banished its demons with its 2021 MotoGP bike?
Against the expected run of play at Qatar's Losail circuit, both Yamaha riders Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo carved through a resolute Ducati defence to secure back-to-back MotoGP wins for the Japanese marque. After a difficult 2020, it appears that Yamaha has swaggered back into championship contention
Why MotoGP’s top gun looks more dangerous at the Doha GP
Lightning hasn't struck twice for Maverick Vinales since 2017 and his wayward form of recent years makes predicting how he'll fare each MotoGP race weekend tricky. But fresh from his Qatar GP win, Vinales looks like an even more dangerous prospect for the Doha GP following an intriguing Friday practice
Why MotoGP’s new Amazon series is long overdue
OPINION: MotoGP is getting its own version of Drive to Survive on Amazon Prime at some point in the near future. It was news welcomed by the grid’s leading riders. And following the impact DTS has had on Formula 1, MotoGP desperately needs the same boost.
Did the Qatar GP hint at Ducati’s true MotoGP leader?
OPINION: Johann Zarco talked a big game pre-season, and is so far vindicating himself as a factory rider at Pramac after finishing the Qatar GP as top Ducati in second. And contrasting his and Jack Miller's weekends and their approaches, is Zarco emerging as Ducati's true MotoGP leader?
The key changes behind the latest 'return of the Mack'
Maverick Vinales’s authoritative victory at the MotoGP season opener came during a period of personal and professional change for the Yamaha rider. Can it be the springboard for a title challenge?
