Vermeulen: Suzuki playing catch-up

The Japanese outfit endured a difficult start to the season, with Loris Capirossi finishing in a distant eighth position while Vermeulen was 17th, a lap down, after having to pit for a new front tyre.

The next round of the championship takes place next week at Jerez, where Vermeulen believes they will have to work hard to catch up.

"We need to get out there and start work straight away, after the disappointment of Qatar we are playing catch-up a bit," said Vermeulen.

"I enjoy the Jerez circuit and we made some important developments towards the end of the test there last month, so we need to continue from where we left off.

"Jerez with its huge crowd and amazing atmosphere feels like the real start of the season and I will certainly be going for it."

Capirossi, meanwhile, insisted he still has faith in the team and he is hopeful they can raise their game in Spain.

"Qatar wasn't the best result for us, but we did learn some good lessons for the forthcoming races," said Capirossi. "The Jerez test earlier in the year wasn't the best conditions so we don't have a lot of direction from the data we collected then.

"We need to be fighting for top positions and podiums - I have complete faith in Suzuki and the whole project that those results and performances will come soon. The season is just beginning and I hope we can step up to a good level at Jerez next weekend."