Davide Brivio, a key figure in Valentino Rossi’s career, has revealed the little-known story of how the MotoGP legend nearly signed with Suzuki.
In 2011, Brivio and Rossi both left Yamaha, with Rossi moving to Ducati in what was expected to be a dream Italian pairing. Instead, the partnership quickly soured, with Rossi struggling throughout his debut season.
At the start of 2012, Suzuki MotoGP boss Shinichi Sahara approached Brivio, expressing plans to return to the premier class in 2014 and asking if Rossi might be interested in joining. Rossi, needing a competitive bike for 2013, couldn’t wait for Suzuki’s comeback, and the talks ended there.
Sahara later revived discussions — this time offering Brivio the chance to manage the new Suzuki team, potentially based in Italy to accommodate Rossi. Brivio accepted, beginning work on the project in late 2012.
While Rossi returned to Yamaha for nine more seasons, Brivio led Suzuki to the 2020 world title with Joan Mir. The question remains: had the timing been right, could Rossi and Suzuki have forged a championship-winning legacy together?
