'Wow, I should be proud of my people’ - Suzuki stays in Qatar

Suzuki is the only complete MotoGP team that has opted to remain in Qatar between the end of Official testing on March 12 and the season-opening race weekend on March 25-28.

It means that all their team members, including reigning world champion Joan Mir and team-mate Alex Rins, will be in Qatar for five weeks, from early March until the completion of the second Losail race on Sunday, April 4.

The request to stay was made by Suzuki project leader and team director Shinichi Sahara.

“I asked the whole team to consider staying in Qatar between the test days and the races, to avoid any risk of infection from the Covid-19 virus while travelling and staying at home with friends and families” Sahara explained.

“They all accepted, including the riders Joan Mir and Alex Rins, and this makes me very proud of the group that we are.”

Despite activities that have been organised, Sahara recognises that being away from homes and families for five weeks will not be an easy task.

“When I was told that we are the only team to stay in Qatar, including the riders, I thought: ‘wow, I should be proud of my people’ and maybe we are proving once again that we are the most united team, since we face this difficult situation all together, as a strong group and family," Sahara said.

Mir explained that, as well as minimising the Covid risk, it wouldn't have felt right for him to return home while leaving many of his team members in Qatar.

“I decided to remain in Qatar as an act of responsibility, in regard to the risk of infection while travelling, for both ourselves and others," Mir said. "I want to protect myself and my loved ones, but also my team who is making efforts to start the season in the best way.

"I would not feel at ease being at home with my friends and family knowing that my crew and the whole team is in Qatar with limitations and sacrifice. And besides, we are lucky because we are staying in a very nice hotel and being treated very well.”

Rins added: “Finally we decided to stay here because this way we can create a full bubble where the Suzuki Team are all together, with no exceptions. First of all, this means that we’re safer, and we can also be calmer thinking about the upcoming races.”

With paddock members only allowed out of their hotel to go to the Losail circuit, activities such as karting, cycling, and minibikes have been arranged.

“We are using this time for some team building activities, which is something we enjoy that we try to do once or twice a year, and now we have the perfect chance. Staying away from home is an effort for all of us, so we are trying to enjoy the time as best we can," Rins continued.

"We are not allowed to exit our hotel or visit the common spaces of the hotel since we are in the MotoGP bubble, so my routine is pretty based on the facilities that we have at our disposal: food in the restaurant, gym in the hotel, and some training with minibikes at the circuit.”

The MotoGP ‘bubble system’ for Qatar means even dining must be done in special designated areas of their hotel, where the public does not have access.

Meanwhile, the Qatar government has made the Pfizer vaccine available to all paddock members. The first shots have already been administered to those that requested them, with the second dose to be given before Race 2 in Losail.

“Dorna and the Qatar government have done an incredible job, it’s something very impressive and much appreciated. It’s also important to save our lives and show that there is hope for a brighter future," said Sahara.