Suzu𒊎ki and A🌊lex Rins have so far achieved eight podiums including two victories in MotoGP.

But project lea🧜der Shinichi Sahara is confident the best is still to𝓡 come, after signing the Spaniard to a further two-year deal.

The contract extension also means Rins will become one of Suzuki's longest serving grand prix riders, remaining⛄ with the factory that gave him his premier-class debut for at least six seasons.

“This renewal of two more years with Alex Rins makes me and Suzuki very proud because it🌳 re๊presents a building block in our project to grow young riders and progress alongside them," Sahara said.

"With this extension, we have stayed with a young, talented,﷽ determined and fast rider like Alex for a total of six years, and this is exactly what we aimed for when we signed him the first time in 2017.

"He h🥃as grown a lot, and with him also his crew and the whole team has grown too. We’ve achieve🧸d podiums and victories, and I feel that the best is still yet to come."

Rins - who beat Valentino Rossi for victory in Texas, then snatched a last-corner win from Marc Marquez at Silverstone - had been fighting for runner-up behind the reigning champi🎃on until suffering three mid-season DNF🍰s.

The 24ꦓ-year-old eventually finished fourth overall in the𒆙 standings, then was strong throughout winter testing on the latest GSX-RR. However, the coronavirus pandemic means no races have yet been held in 2020.

"Unfortunately, the situation now doesn’t allow us to prove under race condit♓ions all the progress that we’ve made or the results I believe we are capable of, but this Coronavirus situation is new for everyo🐈ne and we need to adapt," Sahara said.

"For sure we are remaining upbeat, and this agreement confirm♛s that we are always thinking of the future with optimism💃 and positivity.”

It is thought that Suzuki had first-option on Rins' services beyond 2020 and that a similar situation exists for team-mate Joan Mir, currently waiting for his second MotoGP season🐽 and also tipped to remain at the team next year.