Selangor Journal
WithU Yamaha MotoGP professional racers Cal Crutchlow (left) and Darryn Binder (right) together with Team Principal and owner Datuk Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali during the team’s press conference in Kuala Lumpur, on October 19, 2022. — Picture by BERNAMA

WithU Yamaha RNF looking for positive beginning in Sepang — Razlan

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 — Having gone through almost the full season of a dramatic and challenging phase, the WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team remains positive to showcase improved performances from this weekend’s Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (GP) at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Team principal and owner Datuk Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali said the team, currently placed second last in the World Championships standing, hoped to get positive results at the home GP and the season finale at Valencia on November 6, to gain as many points as possible to avoid finishing in last place.

“It has been a very difficult season since we took over the MotoGP entry from the Sepang Racing Team (SRT) at the end of last season. But then, if it were easy, everybody would be doing it.

“But coming back to Malaysia (after a two-year lapse due to the Covid-19 pandemic) feels different because the last time we raced here was in 2019. I was still the SIC CEO (chief executive officer.) Our results may not be as good as before, but it is still an honour and privilege to race in front of our own supporters,” he said during a team media session earlier today.

After 18 rounds, the WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team has accumulated 33 points to be placed 11th, ahead of bottom-placed Tech3 KTM Factory Racing (19 points), while the chances look slim to finish above 10th placed LCR Honda (96 points).

Ahmad Razlan admitted that the team had undergone a difficult first season, especially with Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso, 36, who struggled to adapt to Yamaha’s M1 machine, before retiring from the sport last month.

“We started the season with Dovizioso and Darryn Binder but unfortunately, it had been filled with drama. We started with some poor results, especially with Dovizioso.

“This demotivated him and he decided to retire at Misano and we decided to take Cal Crutchlow to fill his place. But then if you look at the four Yamaha riders this year, only Fabio Quartararo is able to do what he has, even Franco Morbidelli has found it hard,” he added.

Ahmad Razlan, who expects more challenges when they switch to the Aprilia machine next season, said he was excited to begin a new journey with the Italian manufacturer.

“I am quite sad that we have to stop with Yamaha as they are a big brand which is good for South-East Asia. But at the same time, we are excited over a new journey, as Aprilia have been talking to us for some time but previously they were not as strong as they are now,” he said.

Aprilia is currently placed second in the constructors standings with 242 points, 165 points behind Ducati (407), while Yamaha is placed third with 227 points.

— Bernama

 

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