Interview: Livio Suppo Talks 2023 MotoGP
Former team principal shares thoughts on 2023 and 2024.
Our first podcast guest of 2023 was Livio Suppo, one of the most successful team principals in MotoGP. He won multiple world championships with Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez in his time with Ducati and Repsol HRC. He told us how he thought the 2023 season would shake out, so it was natural that we’d talk again just days after the season wrapped to get his thoughts on a topsy-turvy year, and what he thinks 2024 will bring.
Listen to our podcast episode with Livio Suppo from March 2023.
Livio, when we last spoke, the 2023 MotoGP season was about to begin. All the riders were healthy, Saturday sprint races were new, and Pecco Bagnaia's factory Ducati wore the #1 plate. Looking back, what were some of the highlights for you?
Generally speaking, the introduction of the Sprint Races have had a big influence on the Championship. Too many injured riders (no one single race with the full grid!) and too much stress for the riders and the teams. Of course Sachsenring for Marc (Márquez); I think that was the moment he decided to leave HRC. Barcelona, with the crash of Pecco. Lucky to survive, but for sure this had a great influence on his second part of the season, allowing Jorge Martin to recover many points.
Let's talk about the two teams you worked with during your time in the paddock, Ducati and Honda. What did Bologna do right, and what does Minato need to do to reclaim glory?
Ducati is doing very well since several seasons. Now they have the best bike, a lot of good riders and eight bikes on track allow them to get a lot of data to improve. Well done! HRC... just the opposite. They seems to be lost. I have never seen a factory HRC rider leave that team to go on a satellite team, on a one-year-old motorcycle.
Try as they might, KTM's South African and Australian duo Brad Binder and Jack Miller can't quite break the Ducati podium stronghold. Spaniard Dani Pedrosa came off the couch, so to speak, to show his factory stablemates what is possible. Johan Zarco gave the French a must-needed victory; otherwise it was a season dominated by Spaniards and Italians. In your opinion, which Spaniard will win the championship next, or have the Italians finally gained an unassailable foothold on the trophy?
Highlights from this week’s Valencia test here.
KTM has grown comparing with 2022, but not enough to fight on a regular base with Ducati. I'm sure they will arrive soon. With a grid with most than 50 percent of riders from Spain and Italy... clearly these two nations have an advantage.
Who were the break-out racers for you in 2023 and why?
Marco Bezzecchi. He grew up a lot considering this was just his second season in MotoGP. Pecco, because it is not easy to win two titles in a row. Jorge Martin that showed to be super fast.
Tell me your thoughts on Michelin and MotoGP's minimum tire pressure rule, and what it might do to the 2024 Championship.
There must be, for safety reason, a tire pressure rule, but to avoid problems, I would change the way to check it: I would do it on the grid before the start. If on the grid the pressure is fine, you can start, if too low, you must adjust it before the start. After that the pressure — due to the increase of the tires temperature, will increase, so no problem for the safety.
Speaking of 2024, fresh on the heels of Pecco winning back-to-back championships, we're seeing several rider changes: Marc Marquez to Gresini Ducati; Fabio Di Giannantonio to VR46 Ducati; Luca Marini to Repsol Honda; Zarco to LCR Honda; Alex Rins to Yamaha; Franky Morbidelli to Pramac Ducati; and reigning Moto2 world champion Pedro Acosta to GasGas Tech 3. Will we see fireworks as Dorna hopes with Marc on the Ducati? Can Franky show his true potential? What about Pedro: can he make the switch to the big bike and get results right away?
Marc on the Ducati will be super fast, no doubt. This will increase the interest of the fans. If HRC and Yamaha will improve their bikes, thanks also to the new concessions, will be even better. So the results of Fabio Quartararo, Rins, Joan Mir, Marini, Zarco and Taka Nakagami will potentially be better than in 2023. Pedro Acosta is clearly a great talent. I truly believe he will be fast. How much? It will depend on KTM/GAS GAS improvement.
Who do you pick to become the first modern day premier class winner for three different manufacturers: Maverick Viñales, Jack Miller, or Alex Rins?
Difficult question. In theory Maverick has more potential, but also Jack and Alex could win a race next year, depending on how much KTM and Yamaha will improve.
Last question: do you miss the MotoGP paddock, the people, and nurturing riders and crew? Would you return if given an opportunity, or are you enjoying Spyder and Thok too much?
I miss MotoGP for sure. Last season with Suzuki, after four seasons out, confirmed me that MotoGP is my biggest passion... at the moment no plan but... never say never!
“I miss MotoGP for sure.” That makes two of us, Livio. Thanks for bringing Livio back to “Motorcycles Are Drugs,” Gary. Maybe a mid-season update instead of waiting an entire year? After all, 2024 is expected to be the longest campaign with the most races in the history of the sport. Either way, keep up the great work.
Livio has fun insights - thanks for the follow up interview. I LOVED the podcast you did with him. Sometimes I had to back up and listen to parts again, because I was just listening to his velvety voice!!