Cancel Pestrucci, Suzuki Guide To Japanese Driver To Replace Joan Mir At The San Marino MotoGP

Suzuki racer, Kazuki Watanabe, replaced Joan Mir in the San Marino MotoGP. (Photo via ANTARA/Suzuki Racing Corporation)

JAKARTA - Suzuki Ecstar canceled using Danilo Petrucci's services as a substitute for Joan Mir in MotoGP San Marino, early September. They prefer to use the services of Japanese racers.

It was Kazuki Watanabe who was assigned by Suzuki to replace Joan Mir. Watanabe is a member of the Suzuki Endurance Racing team where he served as a backup rider.

Watanabe has also been a starting line-up, including when appearing in the Sukera 8 Hours event a few weeks ago. At that time he was able to finish the podium.

He also drove GSX-R1000R at the All Japan Road Race championship for Yukio Kagayama's side, Yoshimura Suzuki RideWin and is currently third in the standings.

"First, I want to pray for Joan to recover from her injuries soon, she is a great rider and I hope she returns to the track soon," Watanabe said on Suzuki's official website, as quoted by Antara, Friday, August 26.

"I'm excited to get a call to replace him at Misano, it would be great to try the MotoGP bike on that track. I will give my best performance to the team that has given me this opportunity."

As is known, Joan Mir suffered a fracture following an accident in the Austrian MotoGP race, the Red Bull Ring on August 21. Mir is advised to rest for 15 days for the sake of bone recovery and ankle ligament.