Team Suzuki Ecstar Project Director Shinichi Sahara talks about the new management in place for 2021 and the way Suzuki plans to move forward with Suzuki's World Championship-winning team.
Sahara-san how has your winter break been?
SS: “Things have been busy preparing everything; the bikes, the parts, getting it all ready. We’ve been working very long hours in Japan and it’s been a tiring but exciting time. It’s always hard work at the beginning of the season, but it’s worth it when you see the results.”
During the winter there was the big news that Davide Brivio was leaving, how do you see that?
SS: “It was a bit of a shock for all of us, and it’s a pity to see him go. But we wish him success in his new career and we’re already focused on what we need to do now.”
Can you explain your new management plan?
SS: “It is more open between all of us; every team management related matter will be discussed between key people in the team. We have created a ‘Team Management Committee’ involving key team members and we will all discuss everything - item by item and session by session. We will exchange information between us. So this is the way we’ve decided to go forward in the running of the team since Davide’s departure. I believe this will more than compensate for his loss.”
What was behind the decision not to bring one Team Manager in?
SS: “Even last year when Davide was the Manager, a lot of decisions were taken jointly. For example, I am the Project Leader and Ken Kawauchi is the Technical Manager, and we would discuss everything with Davide and even with the wider team. Advice and knowledge was shared among us. I know how he balanced between the human side and technical side, so I have no concerns about our new way of managing. Everybody on our team is great at their job, so we will manage fine. I have every confidence in our decision and in many ways it has brought our team closer together.”
Suzuki will stand out this year as title holders, how will this affect your approach?
SS: “It doesn’t really make a difference because our aim is actually the same as always; becoming one step stronger. So winning the championship hasn’t changed that. We don’t even think of ourselves as defending champion; we just focus on challenging for the best results and giving our all every weekend.”