CLICK HERE to read Crash.net's full exclusive interview with Randy de Puniet

Randy de Puniet says Suzuki should consider supplying a satellite MotoGP team in the near future to give it the best chance of competing on terms with Honda, Yamaha and Ducati on its return to the category.

Suzuki returns to the premier level of motorcycle racing in 2015 with its first factory MotoGP entry since 2011, with Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales signed to lead the manufacturer's efforts.

As it stands, there are only plans for Suzuki to persevere with its single factory-backed team, but de Puniet, who led development on the GSX-RR, says the manufacturer should consider adopting a satellite team to aid development, get it on terms with rivals and avoid the mistakes of previous efforts.

"For sure they haven't got as many people there as Honda but there were always enough people it was more the bike and getting it developed," he told Crash.net.

"I think they need to put two satellite bikes in a different team to try to get as much data as possible because it's the development where the improvement will come. I really don't think that only having two riders is going to be enough, they need a satellite team but that's a question of money.

"It's the satellite bikes which give Honda, Yamaha and Ducati an advantage. If Suzuki isn't careful it'll be like in the Kawasaki days when there was only one bike there and you can't get a bike developed like that."

Reflecting on the decision by Suzuki to sign up Espargaro and Vinales instead of himself, though de Puniet - who will race in World Superbikes in 2015 with Suzuki instead - admits he is disappointed to be passed over, he understands the decision-making process and suggests that it is the right time for a career change.

"A lot of people have said to me that you must be disappointed and sure I am but they didn't make any commitment before the year and have decided to take a young fast Moto2 rider and Aleix who has established speed and it has to be said that they've both done a great job this year.

"If they had put slower riders than me or even ones of the same speed it would have been harder to handle after having spent 2 years working for Suzuki but when you've got riders like that taking over you can understand the decision. They haven't done anything which they didn't agree to or anything unreasonable so for that reason I'm happy to continue working with Suzuki in their Superbike team and also some testing of the MotoGP bike.

"In the end they never lied to me, they were always open with me and I can't really complain because the decision is theirs. They told me that I wouldn't be part of the MotoGP squad well in advance of the announcement and that meant I also had time to think what I wanted to do. But on the positive side they did say they were happy with what I was doing and wanted to keep me and we came up with this plan.

"Honestly I would rather have a chance of fighting for podiums next year than running around in 10th or 12th in MotoGP. I'm 34 next year anyway and I thought it was a good time to switch."

CLICK HERE to read Crash.net's full exclusive interview with Randy de Puniet