Davide Brivio was a bold hire for Alpine but has remained in the background
Photo Studio Milagro / DPPI
Suzuki’s MotoGP team manager Davide Brivio, has confirmed that he is leaving the team, weeks after winning the championship with Joan Mir.
The Italian is expected to join the Alpine Formula 1 team, moving away from MotoGP after more than 20 years in the paddock, and eight years leading Suzuki.
The Renault team will morph into Alpine in 2021 and Brivio is expected to take on a senior role within the team this season.
“A new professional challenge and opportunity suddenly came to me and in the end I decided to take it,” Brivio said.
“It has been a difficult decision. The hardest part will be to leave this fabulous group of people, whom I started this project with when Suzuki rejoined the Championship. And it’s hard to say goodbye also to all the people who have arrived over the years to create this great Team.
“I feel sad from this point of view, but at the same time I feel a lot of motivation for this new challenge – which was the key when I had to decide between renewing my contract with Suzuki or starting a completely new experience.”
Davide Brivio was absolutely key to Suzuki’s 2020 MotoGP championship victory, so his departure to Renault’s Formula 1 team is a huge blow to the factory. The former Yamaha MotoGP…
Joan Mir’s 2020 title was the first for a Suzuki rider since 2000 and Kenny Roberts Jr. The team adapted to the 2020 Michelin tyres best after a difficult start to the season to take the team’s championship for a title double.
No confirmation has been made yet by Alpine over his prospective role and other senior position changes.
“Achieving a MotoGP title is something that will remain in the Suzuki history books and it will always have a special place in my life memories,” Brivio continued. “I would like to deeply thank all the Suzuki management for their trust and confidence in me, which they had since the beginning.
“I would like to thank every single member of our MotoGP group in Japan and at the track, all the Suzuki network, and of course all the riders who rode for the Team in this period, especially Joan and Alex who did a great 2020 season.
“Joan becoming World Champion was a dream come true for me and for all the people who worked hard and accompanied me on this magnificent journey. I wish the best to Team Suzuki MotoGP, I hope that the results in the future will be better and better and I will always be a Suzuki fan. Thanks very much Suzuki!”
