Suzuki Motor Corporation has announced Joan Mir as a factory rider in MotoGP with Team SUZUKI ECSTAR for the 2019 and 2020 seasons, partnering Alex Rins aboard the Factory GSX-RR. 

Joan Mir is a young talent (20 years old) from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, who has already shown excellent skill and competitiveness in his riding, both in the Moto3 and Moto2 classes. The two-year agreement will allow the Spaniard to debut in the Top Class after only one year in the intermediate class, lining up alongside the already confirmed Alex Rins in the Team SUZUKI ECSTAR garage. 

Mir debuted in the World Championship in 2015, at the Australian GP in the Moto3 class, and raced in the same class for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Despite being a learning year for him, in 2016 he managed three podiums with a first, a second and a third place, but most importantly he got the necessary confidence to be absolutely fit and ready the next year to fight for the title. And he did, indeed, succeed: ten victories, two second places and one third place for a total of 13 podiums (with 1 pole position) gave him 341 points and the crown of 2017 Moto3 World Champion.