MotoGP News
Date: 29/September/2011
Alvaro Bautista is hoping to convince Suzuki to remain in the MotoGP World Championship by delivering a strong performance in the factory's home Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi this weekend.
The Spaniard is Suzuki's only full-time MotoGP rider and, after breaking his leg at round one, has scored top six finishes in two of the last three rounds.
But he remains in the dark about Suzuki's plans for 2012, when MotoGP is changing from 800 to 1000cc engines. All other manufacturers, plus some of the new cut-price 'CRT' entries, are already track-testing their 1000cc machines in public.
By contrast, there has been only silence from Suzuki, which last won the premier-class crown in 2000 and hasn’t had a rider on the MotoGP podium since 2008.
"I hope to have news from Suzuki for next year, but still nothing is clear," said Bautista at Motegi on Thursday.
"I hope to make a good race here in Suzuki's home and maybe they can take the motivation from that to make a big effort and have a good bike for next year.
"We will see. At the moment nothing is clear and I have to wait to make a decision for 2012."
Bautista added that a 'good race' would be battling with the 'second group' of riders on Sunday, just behind the podium places.
"I think it is possible to be with the second group of Dovizioso, Spies and Simoncelli because to be at the top with Casey [Stoner], Jorge [Lorenzo] and Dani [Pedrosa] is impossible.
"Last year we did a good race, finished seventh. This year we are more competitive and I have more confidence in the bike. It is a good track for Suzuki so I hope to get a good result."
As well as Suzuki, Bautista has been linked with Tech 3 Yamaha and re-joining the Aspar team - with which he achieved great success in 125 and 250cc racing - for next season.
Former Suzuki MotoGP rider and present BSB title leader John Hopkins is also waiting for a decision from the factory. The American is hoping to return as a full-time rider in 2012.
On Thursday it was announced that Hopkins will again ride as a wild-card for Suzuki, during the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang in late October.
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