Suzuki has confirmed Andrea Iannone for the 2017 MotoGP season, with the Italian signing a two-year deal with the factory team.
Iannone is currently riding in his fourth season in the MotoGP series with Ducati, holding 10th in the championship after the opening five races.
With Ducati signing Jorge Lorenzo for the 2017 season and retaining Andrea Dovizioso, Iannone has been squeezed out of the team.
However, he has found a new home with Team Suzuki Ecstar and will ride for the Japanese factory outfit until at least 2018, signing for two seasons.
“We are happy to have enrolled Andrea in our team for the next two years,” said team manager Davide Brivio. “He is one of the top riders in MotoGP and he is also very passionate and motivated; which fits into our racing philosophy.
“Our technical project is continuously improving since our debut in 2015 and we are working hard to make our GSX-RR very competitive so that it can fight consistently close to top and victory as soon as possible.
“We wanted a rider that could help Suzuki continue its road to the top. Andrea is a fast rider who has the hunger for success and his riding style could suit our machine’s characteristics, therefore giving us good hopes for a positive partnership.
“Being in his fourth year in MotoGP he’s also an experienced rider from which the whole team will benefit.”