Source: Supplied.

Team Suzuki ECSTAR MotoGP project leader Satoru Terada says there are many improvements to make after riders Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales finished just outside the top 10 in the 2015 title standings.

In the manufacturer’s return to grand prix racing this season, Espargaro was 11th in the championship and rookie of the year Vinales 12th, however it was still a positive season while developing the immaculate GSX-RR.

“Finally the season has come to an end and we can make a balance of our progress,” explained Terada. “As it is the last race, we can now take stock. We expected to finish the championship in better positions than 11th and 12th, but for sure this has been a very positive season in terms of development and experience.

“Our riders made good improvements, both in their riding style with our machine and in terms of information and feedback that they gave us. We know we have some weaknesses, but we are working hard on them and we had very useful technical direction from the riders.

“Also next season we will be faster getting to grips with work at the tracks because we have the knowledge base we have built-up this year, therefore being able to start from a solid basis in every race.

“Now we have to focus on 2016. We’re going to test the new tyres in the next few days and then also the new electronics. We have a tight, but clear, program and I think we can make many improvements.”

Both Espargaro and Vinales will remain with Suzuki for the 2016 season, which effectively gets underway with official testing at Valencia this Wednesday and Thursday.