The Japanese manufacturer was a mainstay in MotoGP through the 500cc era, winning world titles with the likes of Barry Sheene, Marco Lucchinelli, Franco Uncini, Kevin Schwantz and Kenny Roberts Jr.
Suzuki continued in MotoGP when it switched to the four-stroke formula, but would withdraw at the end of the 2011 season due to financial difficulties having only run one entry for Alvaro Bautista that year.
It rebuilt the project in the ensuing years and would make its full-time return in 2015, becoming race winners again in 2016 at Silverstone with Maverick Vinales having last taken a MotoGP victory in 2007.
And in 2020 Suzuki won its first world title in 20 years courtesy of Joan Mir.
Autosport understands the heads of Suzuki gathered all members of the MotoGP team on Monday and communicated its decision to quit the series at the end of the year.
It is a decision that has come as a shock to all within the team.
An official announcement will likely arrive in the next few hours.
The shocking announcement has thrown the futures of 2020 world champion Mir and three-time race-winner Alex Rins into the air.
Autosport understands all indications are that Mir will move to Honda alongside Marc Marquez in 2022 to replace Pol Espargaro.
Rins’ future remains very unclear at this stage.
More to follow…
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