In the Japanese Ecstar Suzuki MotoGP team beats an Italian heart, the one of the team principal Davide Brivio. He is one of the key people recruited when the Hamamatsu marque decided to return to the blue riband class two years ago and he strongly believed in the talent of one Maverick Viñales.

With the superb win at Silverstone, Suzuki were back in victory lane after a nine-year gap and brought to four the number of manufacturers that this year have won at least one Grand Prix. An historical milestone that didn’t happen in 2007: that year Ducati claimed 11 GP wins, Yamaha four, Honda two and Suzuki one.

bikesportnews.com sat down with Brivio to get his lowdown on Vinales, winning, the future, Iannone and bike development…

How much is there of Davide Brivio in the Suzuki team?
“Our project started from scratch and this has given me a lot of satisfaction because I could contribute with many ideas, suggestions and proposals that the Japanese accepted. Together we could make them real. Just think at the decision to sign with Maverick who was coming from only one season in Moto2. Many people thought that he was not ready, but I strongly believed in his potential and this season and especially at Silverstone he proved it.”

Looking back at Silverstone…
“It’s such an important result. We didn’t expect that it could come some early, but we know that Maverick is a great talent and he grew up also quickly. It’s a new project and to claim such a victory gives us a lot of motivation: from the President to the engineers and the mechanics.”

After the podium in Le Mans, did you expect a win already this season?
“Winning in MotoGP is really difficult due to the high level of the manufacturers and riders involved. But Maverick is a true racer. He wants to stay always at the top and the victory at Silverstone is fruit of his racing approach.”

How much was the rider and how much the bike? Can you give us a percentage?
“It’s very difficult because historically it’s the whole package that makes the difference. Looking at the victory in Silverstone, the first after Suzuki returned to the premiere class in 2015, I give the merit to the engineers. They have designed a balanced bike with a chassis that is envied by most of the riders. Last year our weak point was the engine, but we have improved the power and introduced the seamless.

“Then the merit goes to Maverick. He is only 21 years old and he made his debut on the premiere class on a new project that needed to be developed. In Silverstone it was the perfect race. He was fast and concentrated throughout the whole weekend. He made a stunning first start and then, when they repeated the start after the red flag, he started third but abbut in half a lap he took the lead and was able to manage the race at the front.”

Is the level of the Suzuki, the one that we see with Aleix Espargaro?
“This is what people have said many times also with the Honda, with Marc Marquez making the difference, the Ducati with Stoner or just look at Yamaha. The M1 is a great bike, but Yamaha achieve the results with two world champions like Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. The other Yamahas are similar, but they don’t get the same result. I think that there is not a single factor that makes the difference, it’s the whole package that includes the rider and the machine.”

How is the development of the bike going?
“The big step has been done this year with the improvement of the performance of the engine. Now in terms of engine, Suzuki has reached the level of Honda and Yamaha, while Ducati remains the fastest bike on the grid. Of course we keep on working on the engine, to find some more horsepower for next year, and on the electronics.”

Next year you will line up Andrea Iannone and Alex Rins…
“We had the contract clause to make Maverick stay but the rider has to be motivated and believe in the project. So when he decided to go for a new challenge, the choice of Iannone was valuable. He is fast and can boast four year experience in MotoGP. He is already a top rider and after a period of adaptation, we expect to use all the potential of our machine. With Rins, we start again with a rookie as we did with Maverick. It’s a challenge in the challenge.”

Which bike will Andrea Iannone find?
“We will have to wait for his opinion. But I think the Suzuki GSX-RR is an easier bike, but less powerful from what he is used to riding. Anyway we are working on the engine to have more power without compromising the drivability.”

How can you describe the talent of Maverick Vinales?
“He is one of the riders who will fight for the World Championship for the next ten years. He is smart and learns very quickly what is needed to go fast. He has all the talent and the skills to be a protagonist. As Marquez showed this year, also race strategy is crucial, but I think Maverick has all these qualities.”

Is he ready to fight for the world title already next year?
“Yes, I think he will be fast immediately and he is ready to fight for the title. I’m sorry that it won’t be with our machine.”

What do you expect for the final part of the 2016 season?
“We would like to repeat the victory, but the most important thing is to fight at the front every Sunday so that the rider can learn and the engineers can collect valuable data.”

What about a satellite team?
“Suzuki has a small racing department and for sure we won’t have a satellite team in 2017. But we are thinking of it for the future. We are committed in this and also Dorna is pushing for it.”

How much the single ECU has contributed to reduce the gap from Honda and Yamaha?
“In the last years Honda and Yamaha has reached such a sophisticated electronics that to reach that level more years were necessary. The introduction of the common electronics has balanced the level and allowed the arrival of new Manufacturers. In addition the Michelin represents another important variable. There are different tyres to choose on the grid and this makes the races even more interesting and challenging. I think the show that MotoGP has reached this year is unbelievable. Eight different winners in eight races proved it.”