Petronas SRT Team Principal and Team Manager review the demanding 2020 season
The 2020 MotoGP season was one that no one could have predicted. After a start to the season interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the course of the Petronas Sepang Racing Team was marked by the highs of its first victories and the lows of its injuries. Now that the dust has settled, Razlan Razali and Johan Stigefelt sat down to review the past year…
How difficult has it been to face this season with the Covid pandemic? How important was the work done by Dorna/IRTA and the support of the team partners?
Razlan Razali : " It was very difficult because of the uncertainty of when the season was going to start. Fortunately, the season started in July and it went well. We have all managed to stay safe and out of our entire team, only two non-track staff have tested positive, which is a good thing because it shows that the protocols that have been put in place by Dorna worked very well. »
“We really appreciate all the hard work that Dorna and IRTA have done this year working with the different countries and authorities to ensure the season takes place, as it would not have been possible without them. It was very positive of them to coordinate and manage all the tests and protocols so that we could race, which was crucial for the team's survival this year. Of course, we would not have been able to go racing without also the understanding and commitment of our current partners, and we therefore sincerely thank them. I am confident that we can now look forward to a great 2021 together. »
This was the second season where you were present in all three categories: how do you assess the adaptation of the team personnel to the new situation and limitations, when not all members were allowed to travel?
Johan Stigefelt : " After last year we had a lot more experience to draw on. We knew from experience how this could work, and so we prepared very well for the winter, in preparation for the 2020 season. This was a key element that got us off to a good start, because we were really prepared. We also knew each other and knew how to work to get the best out of each other. We also knew how to manage logistics, which is a very important activity in this team. »
“When the Covid situation fully revealed itself, we were in Qatar. We had to bring our Moto2 and Moto3 riders to Qatar, but our MotoGP team also had to pack up all their bikes and prepare everything because we didn't know when we were going to restart. It was very difficult, but I think we handled it all very well and once we started traveling again we were well prepared as well. Our coordinator, Heather MacLennan, has been with the team for many years, which makes it a lot easier for me, for example, to work in that kind of tricky environment when you know your team really well. »
Speaking of the MotoGP category, the season has been completely unexpected for a two-year-old team. How do you evaluate this 2020 season and why?
Razlan Razali : “It was unexpected and in fact, it was a roller coaster, like in Portimão! We started this year after a great first season in 2019 where we achieved a number of pole positions and a few podiums, which was already beyond our expectations. Our approach for this year was to try and get that first win and be the first Yamaha satellite team to do it in about 20 years. We wanted to achieve this goal for the fans, who could not be present at the races, for the team, and of course for Yamaha. Better yet, Fabio Quartararo won two consecutive races at Jerez! After that, it became a roller coaster ride, where after kind of leading the league for most of the year, it wasn't going to be our year. We found ourselves sliding back until Franco Morbidelli took his first podium at Brno and Fabio came back with a victory at Barcelona. »
“After that we had mixed fortunes, Fabio struggled, while Franky became more consistent, getting podiums and victories. Although the season has been very eventful, there have been many positives. Franco's second place in the world championship completely exceeded our expectations and was something we didn't expect. We had some unpredictable results, but on paper we appeared strong and, although we were a little disappointed, our two-year-old team took six wins, six pole positions and eight podiums, something we are very proud of . »
Johan Stigefelt : " In my opinion, this was not completely unexpected as we saw, especially with Fabio in 2019, some incredible performances that saw him get stronger and stronger with each race. He has progressed as a driver and we have also learned and progressed with him as a team. We also got better machines from Yamaha, since he had a factory bike, so for this season I expected very good results from Fabio. We didn't put pressure on him, but we expected podiums and victories: that's what we were aiming for. With Franky it was a little different because he struggled in 2019, but he worked really hard in the winter and he was definitely an underdog this year. Nobody really talked about him but as a team we always supported him and he got stronger and stronger in 2020, like Fabio in 2019, so it's been really good to see that progression and to see him see finish this season in second place in the championship. »
And when it comes to the Moto2 and Moto3 teams, there have been ups and downs in both categories. With what feelings do you end the season?
Johan Stigefelt : “John McPhee was fast from the start, he was very fast in testing and then in Qatar he fought for victory. He took second place and, in Jerez after the lockdown, he was again incredibly fast, very aggressive and did really well. We expected a very good season with him, but then we had some lows with John in the last five or six races, and we lost a few points. It was hard to see that he couldn't fight for the lead anymore. He was there, but he wasn't leading to win races. After the second race in Misano it was difficult for him and so I end this season with mixed feelings in Moto3, especially because we had the highest at the beginning and the lowest at the end. With Khairul Idham Pawi it was very difficult this year because he never really understood Moto3 and it was difficult to see. I feel sorry for him because I've been in this situation as a driver and it's not easy. I really hope KIP can return to competition in the future. »
“Moto2 has also had its ups and downs. We expected more from Xavi Virgo, because the goal was to be in the top five this year, with podiums and maybe a victory. It didn't happen, we struggled and it wasn't easy for him, although we had some good performances from him which highlighted the level of his potential. On the other side of the box, it was fantastic to see Jake Dixon's progress throughout the year, how he performed in Brno, Austria and Misano before leading the race at Le Mans. It was heartbreaking to see him crash in the final laps, then his injury in Valencia ended the season with three races remaining. It was difficult in Moto2 at the end of the year and we are definitely looking to have a better season in 2021.”
What were your favorite moments in 2020?
Razlan Razali : " In MotoGP, Fabio's victory in Jerez, our team's first victory in MotoGP, was incredible and it was a great feeling. Words cannot explain more than that. Then Franky's victory in the second round in Valencia was a very good moment. In the first race in Valencia we had two pole positions in Moto2 and Moto3, but we couldn't take advantage of them. We may have had the toughest round of the championship, but a week later, Franco's victory was like a big morale boost. This boosted the morale of the team and our motivation continued to show to finish the last round in Portimão in a positive manner. These were two great moments for the team. »
Johan Stigefelt : " If I had to list my three best moments, the first would undoubtedly be the victory that came after confinement. Fabio's victory in Jerez was a truly incredible feeling and is the reward for many years of work and dedication from everyone on the team. My second highlight is Misano, where Franky and John both won on the same day and I was on the podium twice: it was a great feeling. The third best moment was Franky's fight in Valencia when he beat [Jack] Miller in a final round battle. It's not every day you see this in MotoGP and it showed how strong Franky is as a rider, and how difficult he is to beat. »
How difficult was it not to participate in the Malaysian GP this year? When does the team plan to return to Malaysia?
Razlan Razali : “It was really difficult when the time came to compete in what would have been the Malaysian GP, because you could smell it in the air and suddenly it was missing. I was in Malaysia at the time because I had to go home at that time. On Friday, when there should have been free practice, I went with my son to the Sepang circuit for a little motorcycle ride, but it was grim and sad that we didn't race. Normally I would have been very busy at that time. But this is only temporary and we will come back next year. At the moment the Sepang circuit is working very hard to get the winter test to take place there and we are really looking forward to this test and of course the presentation of our team during the winter test. »
What lessons did the team learn from 2020?
Johan Stigefelt : " Don't take anything for granted! We can't control everything and we really saw that this year with Covid; we were all waiting and we really suffered because we weren't sure we would return to racing this year. This is my biggest lesson. I think in this environment everyone should be grateful that we were able to do what we did this year. We do it because we have a passion for motorsports, for motorcycle racing, and I feel very lucky to be able to work with so many good people and experience the emotions of every weekend we race. »
What can we expect from the 2021 season for the Petronas Sepang Racing Team?
Razlan Razali : " We are very excited for 2021, in all three categories. We welcome Darryn Binder to our Moto3 team. He has a lot of potential and we will look to help him develop and perform well. I'm sure he and John will push each other to be better and I know we have a strong team in Moto3. I'm looking forward to seeing many podiums and hopefully fighting for that Moto3 crown. »
“In Moto2, we hope to continue to progress. This year we achieved our first pole position in the category and, although we unfortunately were unable to secure our first podium, this year's championship standings are already an improvement compared to last year. We hope Xavi continues to fight, with Jake not far behind him, or Jake could even be in front of him! We hope that Jake recovers well from his injury and comes back strong next year. I expect both to fight for good positions. »
“I am sure that Franky will continue to be in good form in MotoGP next year and I think he could be one of the candidates for the 2021 world championship. Nobody should underestimate him, because we have seen that he was a candidate this year. The atmosphere will be very different here for Valentino Rossi, because we are a real family and a team in all three categories, where we completely support each other. I hope to learn a lot from him and at the same time I'm sure he can also learn things from us. That's why I think next year will be extremely exciting. »
Johan Stigefelt : " I think in MotoGP we will continue to aim for high results, podiums, and I hope we can help Franky to be even better. With the arrival of Valentino it will be an incredible feeling, a different feeling, because he comes from a factory team. It's been a long time since he rode for a satellite team, so we'll support him and hope he feels comfortable. I think if we do this it will be very fast. We have very strong riders in Moto2 and Moto3 next year, and my expectations are very high. I want to win the team championship in Moto3 and I want at least one of our riders to be in the top three in Moto2. »
What is the next step, the future for this young team? What is the next goal?
Razlan Razali : " Achieve results for our sponsors and our fans. We want to always be competitive, always fight for podiums and, ultimately, win the world championship in all three categories. That's the intention and I believe we can get there. »
How will you continue to help and promote young Malaysian talents?
Razlan Razali : " The team was built to help develop young Malaysian talent and this will remain one of our key objectives. However, we don't want to have a Malaysian rider just to be able to say he has a place on the grid, just to be there: we want him to earn his place and be as competitive as anyone else runner. We are one of the biggest teams in the paddock and we want to be seen as progressive and competitive. The junior development program is really important to us, and that is why we will continue to follow young Malaysian drivers in championships like the FIM CEV and the Asia Talent Cup. We want to see how much these kids want to run, see their passion and see them demonstrate their commitment and skills by being competitive, succeeding and winning in these junior programs. We have the structure in place to help them take the next step towards the World Championship and we look forward to giving a rising star from Malaysia that chance again. Of course, we continue to help and promote Malaysian talent throughout our organization, with so many different aspects of our business that we also want to help those who are not pilots. »
Last year, one of the team's wishes was to achieve a victory in the MotoGP category. What is your wish for the 2021 season?
Razlan Razali : " In MotoGP our goal is to continue to win. We want to show that it wasn't just a lucky year for us. We want to continue this momentum, continue to win and get on the podium. This is also the next task in Moto2, we want to see our riders on the podium. I think in Moto3 it's time for us to really fight for the world championship! »
Johan Stigefelt : " We have already achieved so much this year in MotoGP: we have won races, we have had pole positions and podiums, so what I would really like to see is our two riders on the podium together. A 1-2 result would be incredible. This is also a goal in the Moto2 and Moto3 categories. »
“My ultimate wish is to see our drivers win all three categories in one weekend. We saw in Misano that we can win two out of three, as Franco and John proved. Winning on the same day in all three categories is something no one else has done before, so it would be truly splendid if we were the first. It's a big goal, but I think we can get there. »
