Honda MotoGP team boss Suppo to leave company

Suppo, 53, made the switch from rival manufacturer Ducati in 2010, joining HRC as marketing director before stepping up to the role of communications and marketing director the following year.

In 2013, he was promoted to team principal, a role has held since - and has overseen five riders' titles, four for Marc Marquez and one for Casey Stoner, in his time at Honda. 

He also oversaw Ducati's one and only MotoGP title, which came courtesy of Stoner in 2007, in his tenure as the Italian marque's project leader from 2003 to 2009.

Now it has been announced Suppo will be leaving not only Honda but the MotoGP paddock entirely in order to "pursue new challenges".

He will not be replaced as team principal in the immediate future.

"I thought at the end of the day it was the right decision to leave now," Suppo said in a Valencia press conference on Monday.

"I still have one year contract with HRC but at the moment, HRC has everything under control for next year – riders and sponsors are under contract, so most of my job is already done for next year.

"Inside me I wanted to change my life, so I prefer to do it now in order to allow HRC to organise themselves and plan the future.

"It’s not easy because [MotoGP] has been my life for so many years, but I’m sure it’s the right choice for myself and my family.

"I wish all the best to HRC, they have two fantastic riders and strong engineers, so I’m sure they’ll continue to be strong in this championship."