(CNN) -- Japan's re-emergence into global motorsport has gathered pace after Suzuki confirmed it will return to elite motorbike racing in 2015.
Suzuki withdrew from MotoGP at the end of the 2011 season, blaming the global recession for its decision to leave the sport, but has had a rethink to partly help develop its range of bikes.
"Suzuki Motor Corporation has organized its test team to undergo more practical running tests at its advanced development stage and will participate in the official joint testing to be held at the Catalunya circuit in Spain," said a Suzuki statement.
"Through continuing running tests at the circuits inside and outside Japan for further development and refinement, Suzuki will participate again in MotoGP racing from 2015.
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McLaren and Honda formed a dominant relationship in 1988 as the car won 15 out of 16 races and Ayrton Senna (front left) won the first of his three world titles
Honda's F1 history
Indianapolis 500 Champion Tony Kanaan of Brazil poses with the Borg Warner Trophy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's "yard of bricks" on Monday, May 27.
Photos: The 2013 Indy 500
"Suzuki will feed back advanced technology to be derived through MotoGP racing activity to develop further attractive production models."
Japan's Nobuatsu Aoki and current Aspar Racing team rider Randy de Puniet were in the saddle as Suzuki made its return to the track during Monday's official test event at the Circuit de Catalunya.
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"I am satisfied because the first test at Motegi was quite good and now we are at a GP track, with most of the other riders and running in the same conditions," France's De Puniet told the sport's official website after Monday's first run.
"I think we did a great job because I'm only seven tenths slower than the best lap time today and after only 50 or 60 laps; all of the other riders have already been here for three days. I am satisfied, but think we could be even faster if we had one more day.
"Anyway, it's a good start because we now go to Aragon for a two-day test, so I really hope to do the same job and have the same feeling with the bike."
Suzuki's return follows Honda's decision to make its Formula One comeback by agreeing to supply engines to the McLaren team from 2015 onwards.
Suzuki boasts a two-wheel racing heritage which dates back to the 1970s, with Britain's Barry Sheene winning the 500c world championship in 1976.
Five further championships followed, with the last being won by American Kenny Roberts Jr. in 2000.
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The previous season, Honda powered Brazilian Nelson Piquet to his third and final world title at the end of its relationship with the Williams team.
The Japanese car manufacturer decided to go it alone in 2006, announcing the Honda Racing team would join the F1 grid. It last ran an independent team in 1968.
There was an early highlight for Honda as Jenson Button won a wet 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix -- but it was to be Honda's only victory during its three-year return to the grid.
Honda underlined its interest in greener issues with its "Earth Car." The livery was made up of pledges from its F1 fans to make environmental changes to their lifestyle. The car, which ran in 2007, was also unusual as it did not feature advertising on race days.
After a four-year absence from F1, Honda announced it will renew its relationship with McLaren by supplying engines to the British team in 2015.
Brazil's Tony Kanaan, driver of the Hydroxycut KV Racing Technology-SH Racing Chevrolet, pours the traditional victory milk over his head after winning the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26.
Kanaan celebrates in victory lane. The race featured a record 14 leaders and 68 lead changes
No. 11 Kanaan leads the pack during the race.
Scott Dixon of New Zealand makes a pit stop in the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.
Takuma Sato of Japan, in car No. 14, holds the lead.
Charlie Kimball, driver of the No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen Honda, makes a pit stop.
Marco Andretti in No. 25 for Andretti Autosport, left, and Tony Kanaan of Brazil in No. 11 lead the pack before a turn.
Ed Carpenter in car No. 20 leads a pack.
Carpenter keeps his lead.
Dario Franchitti's No.10 stops in the pit.
Will Power of Australia in No. 12 leads cars down the front stretch.
Balloons are released as cars, drivers and crews wait to start the race.
Driver Charlie Kimball stands on the grid during the performance of the national anthem.
Tony Kanaan, left, and Hélio Castroneves of Brazil greet each other.
Dario Franchitti of Scotland makes adjustments to his car before the start.
Katherine Legge of England, left, and Scott Dixon of New Zealand talk before the start of the race.
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