RNF Racing
| 2022 name | MotoGP: WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team MotoE: RNF E-Racing |
|---|---|
| Base | Sepang |
| Principal | Team Principal: Razlan Razali Team Manager: Wilco Zeelenberg |
| Rider(s) | MotoGP 04. Andrea Dovizioso 40. Darryn Binder MotoE 7. Niccolò Canepa 38. Bradley Smith |
| Motorcycle | Yamaha YZR-M1 |
| Tyres | Michelin |
| Riders' Championships | – |
RNF MotoGP Racing is a Malaysian independent Grand Prix motorcycle racing team slated to begin competition in the 2022 season. The team will compete with Yamaha motorcycles in MotoGP class as a satellite team using the name WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team for sponsorship reasons.
History
The team's origins began with the Sepang Racing Team (SRT) under ownership by the Sepang International Circuit and managed by circuit CEO Razlan Razali and former racers Johan Stigefelt and Wilco Zeelenberg. During the 2021 season, the principal sponsor Petronas announced they would be removing their support for the team at the end of the season, and shortly thereafter SRT announced they would cease all racing activities at the end of the season.[1] Control of the team and its assets were taken over by Razali and Stigefelt[1] to create the rebranded RNF MotoGP Racing team, with an agreement from Dorna Sports for a grid slot at least until the end of 2026.[2][3] Razali confirmed the significance of the team name as coming from the initials of his family name as well as the names of his children (Razali, Nadia and Farouk).[4] On 30 October, RNF announced that Stigefelt would split from the team under "mutual agreement".[5]
The team will continue in 2022 under a number of SRT's previous agreements, with Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso on a factory-specification Yamaha YZR-M1.[6] Darryn Binder will be promoted from the Moto3 Petronas Sprinta Racing team as the team's second rider, aboard a 2021-specification Yamaha machine.[7]
References
- ^ a b Duncan, Lewis (26 August 2021). "SRT quits MotoGP, announcement of new team due at Misano". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Sepang Racing Team to rebrand as RNF MotoGP Racing". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ McLaren, Peter (17 September 2021). "Petronas SRT reborn as 'RNF MotoGP Racing' for 2022". Crash.net. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Ishak, Fadhli (22 September 2021). "Co-owner Razlan reveals meaning behind RNF | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- ^ Duncan, Lewis (30 October 2021). "RNF explains MotoGP management reshuffle for 2022". Autosport.com. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Duncan, Lewis (17 September 2021). "Sepang Racing Team to be rebranded as RNF Racing in MotoGP". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Duncan, Lewis (21 October 2021). "Darryn Binder says Moto3 to MotoGP jump a "no-brainer"". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)