Alex Rins says he has received an offer from Suzuki to remain with the Japanese marque in MotoGP which he 'can't turn down', and says an announcement is imminent.
Rins stepped up to the premier class with Suzuki last year, but endured a season dogged by injury. Nevertheless, he still managed 16th in the standings and a best result of fourth at the finale in Valencia.
2018 has seen the Spaniard hit the ground running with the GSX-RR, Rins consistently quick throughout the pre-season and scoring a maiden podium last time out in Argentina having fought for the win for much of the race.
Rumours that Rins is set to agree a new two-year deal to remain with Suzuki have gathered momentum in the wake of his debut MotoGP rostrum, with Rins keen to continue with a project that “grabbed” his attention when Suzuki came to him in '16.
“We've been talking about a renewal and the truth is that it has all been done in a natural and very easy way,” Rins told motogp.com when asked about his future.
“The offer we have we can't turn down. There will be news really soon.
“The project they presented me when I was in Moto2 grabbed me from the first moment, then I got to the team and when we met and worked together it reconfirmed everything they promised.
“I'm really happy in the factory, in the team, how they treat me and I'm convinced of what the bike can do and working hard as we do, we can achieve some important things.
“Can we fight for a championship? First you have to win races with some conviction before you can think about the championship.
“But if I didn't think we could do it, I wouldn't have chosen Suzuki when I made the leap to MotoGP.”
Iannone: I have offers outside of Suzuki
Teammate Andrea Iannone struggled in his first year with Suzuki in '17, finishing a low-key 13th and without a podium.
Currently a place behind Rins in the standings in 10th despite a retirement for the latter in the first race, Suzuki are thought to be losing patience with the Italian, with rumours of the Japanese marque making a play for Jorge Lorenzo mounting.
Iannone has expressed his desire to remain with Suzuki, but revealed he has had contact with other teams for a '19 seat.
“We for sure discuss my future and the future of Suzuki, I don't talk only with Suzuki,” he said in an interview with motogp.com.
“In any case I have other proposals, but always the priority is to continue with this team. The group is fantastic, also with the Japanese people I have a really good feeling.
“We start to construct a really good situation, and especially I have a big challenge with me also I want to arrive at the top with Suzuki because I come here for this.”
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