Malaysian Razlan Razali is a happy man in the MotoGP paddock. In one year, in fact, he established himself as essential by taking up the challenge of assuming the mission of playing the satellite team for Yamaha. Starting from nothing, but with seasoned people in his staff, he took Morbidelli and bet on Quartararo. A big rating at the time. A poker move that turned out to be a masterstroke. Everyone is smiling under the Petronas awning. The 2019 season is not yet over and we are already developing the roadmap for 2020. With, inevitably, an increased level of demands...
The adventure is so beautiful and goes so well that we forgot the fact that the team Petronas Yamaha was only thought of Silverstone in 2018. The last British Grand Prix was therefore a sort of anniversary, which could only rejoice the initiator of the project Razlan Razali. The Malaysian has reason to be satisfied with the progress he has made since…
Morbidely has three top 5s to his credit while Quarterly is downright the revelation of the year. Six front rows including three pole positions and three podiums are the results of the 20-year-old rookie after twelve events. Out of nineteen! And it's Misano which is on the horizon, a track where the Frenchman dominated the two days of testing...
« We didn't expect to be in this fantastic position after just twelve rounds of the 2019 season " said Razali. " We were hoping that Franky would get top 6 finishes and that Fabio would aim for the beginner of the year ranking. We didn't expect both of them to do what they do and we are extremely happy and satisfied with them. »
« The biggest surprise undoubtedly comes from Fabio " added Razali. " When we announced him as our second driver, a lot of people told us we made the wrong choice. But now everyone agrees that we made the right decision! »
« It's the biggest surprise of the year, with a series of podiums, pole positions, top fives and top tens. He was fabulous and he's really talented. Having a pole position and a second place in the first European round in Jerez was exceptional. »
But this success means the team’s ambitions will be even greater for 2020… “ For next year, we've certainly set a gold standard for a new team, so we'll have more pressure on us in year twoe” admitted Razali. “ Of course we want to do even better, and I'm sure both drivers will continue to do well. »
Then he blurts out: “ my ambition in 2020 is to achieve at least one victory in MotoGP. Once you get a taste of success like a podium, a pole position or even a victory, you crave more. But no matter what we achieve, our goals remain the same and it is important for us to maintain our goal. And I'm really looking for a victory and a podium at the Malaysian Grand Prix! » No Yamaha satellite team has materialized to date in MotoGP…
Petronas colors are also in Moto3 and Moto2. For 2020, Razali reminds on crash.net the situation to date: For MotoGP we continue with Franco and Fabio and this should be an incredible combination for the team's second season. For Moto2 we have some time to confirm our plans, while for Moto3 we have announced John McPhee at his home race, so half the field is decided. »
We will recall that fabio quartararo currently has a Yamaha M1 of a technical level not quite up to par with the three other Yamahas in the running. A situation which should change next year.
