MotoGP: Andrea Iannone Confirmed at Suzuki for 2017-18
Rennie Scaysbrook | May 19, 2016
Turning blue: Iannone will head to Suzuki next year, but his teammate is yet to be confirmed.
Andrea Iannone will move from the factory Ducati team to the Suzuki Ecstar team for the 2017 and 2018 MotoGP seasons.
The Italian, a winner in 125cc and Moto2 competition and four-time MotoGP podium finisher, will replace Maverick Vinales, the young Spaniard having been confirmed as Valentino Rossi’s teammate at Movistar Yamaha for the next two seasons.
“I am very happy for this because it means I am the first rider in the factory team, and Suzuki show a very good project,” Iannone said. “For sure after four years, I leave Ducati who are in a great moment, they support me from the beginning (in MotoGP), I take my first podium in this class with Ducati, so now I leave in a great moment with all the guys (at Ducati).”
Suzuki team manager Davide Brivio will now aim to get the undoubted speed out of the young Italian, who may have made the move to Suzuki at just the right time following Vinales breakthrough podium at the previous round at Le Mans.
“We are happy to have enrolled Andrea in our Team for the next two years. He is one of the top riders in MotoGP and he is also very passionate and motivated; which fits into our racing philosophy.
“Our technical project is continuously improving since our debut in 2015 and we are working hard to make our GSX-RR very competitive so that it can fight consistently close to top and victory as soon as possible. Andrea is a fast rider who has the hunger for success and his riding style could suit our machine’s characteristics, therefore giving us good hopes for a positive partnership.”
It has yet to be confirmed who will partner Iannone in the team for 2017, with incumbent Aleix Espargaro still a possibility as well as Moto2 riders Alex Rins and Johan Zarco, who has an option for Suzuki in 2017.
