Farewell Sepang Racing Team, hello RNF Racing Yamaha for 2022 MotoGP

The erstwhile Sepang Racing Team will be reborn as the RNF Racing Yamaha squad for the 2022 MotoGP World Championship, it has been confirmed. 

RNF Racing will compete as the official satellite representative of Yamaha until the end of the 2026 MotoGP season, picking up from the Petronas Sepang Racing Team with which is shares the majority of its managers and staff.

Indeed, the metaphorical shutters will come down on PSRT at the end of the season after the withdrawal of key backer Petronas led to a structural and financial re-think for the team that entered MotoGP in 2019.

It means the Moto2 and Moto3 teams will be wound down, though Razlan Razali will remain in charge with Johan Stigefelt also remaining involved. Wilco Zeelenberg has been tipped to take over the Suzuki MotoGP project.

Only one rider has been confirmed for the 2022 MotoGP season in Andrea Dovizioso, though Moto3 rider Darryn Binder has been closely linked as part of a deal to bring WithU on as title backer.

“It has been a whirlwind journey for us. In recent months, we have put all our efforts to reset, rebrand and relaunch as a fresh and stronger MotoGP team. I would like to thank Carmelo for his continued trust and confidence in me to begin this second chapter with a newly rebuilt team competing in MotoGP’s premier class for the next five years. 

“For the season ahead, under the new entity of RNF MotoGP Racing, the rebranded team will continue our blueprint that have proven success before. Expectations will be high and we will push hard to meet these aspirations. 

“Equipped with the experience we gained and having achieved multiple highlights in the past, we look forward to the 2022 season as an even stronger team entry.”