After a troubled, under-performing 2017 season, Iannone has given Suzuki team boss Davide Brivio good reason to not rush the signing of his second rider, having already locked away the talented but still-learning Alex Rins for the future.

The plan for Suzuki now is to wait until the fifth race at Le Mans to assess Iannone’s status and see who else could be on the open market.

Brivio flatly denies having already made a formal offer to unhappy Ducati rider Jorge Lorenzo, despite a raft of rumours that suggest otherwise.

“The competition within the team from Rins has made Andrea think about the level of his performance and the bike,” Brivio said.

“A strong teammate is always the right motivation.

“After the Rins renewal, we will speak to Andrea, but our plan was always to wait four or five races (before deciding on) the second place.

“Suzuki have not made an official offer to Lorenzo; we speak to Andrea first.”

Suzuki’s budget constraints for superstar riders are a consideration, especially as they feel it is crucial to have a strong satellite team to support bike development, hence the impending MarcVDS deal.  

By Colin Young

Iannone, MotoGP race, Grand Prix Of The Americas, 2018