After Gresini Racing, which opened the MotoGP presentations for the 2022 season around a week ago, This Monday it was the turn of the brand new WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team to make its introduction. The structure, which replaces the Petronas Yamaha SRT this year, already displays solid ambitions, what's more with a promising duo of riders combining the enthusiasm of youth (Darryn binder) to the experience of maturity: Andrea Dovizioso.
The opportunity for his boss, Razlan Razali, to detail the objectives of the new structure at the start of the 2022 season. We therefore went to listen (via teleconferencing software) to the words of the Malaysian boss, who has great ambitions for this new Year.
As usual, we report here the words of the boss of the Yamaha RNF team without the slightest formatting, even if it is translated from English.
Razlan, what can be your goals this season, if we approach things realistically?
« It may seem like we are starting from scratch with this new structure, but the fact is that we still have three years of experience behind us. There is also a certain form of continuity given that part of the garage remains unchanged: that of Andrea Dovizioso. On the other hand, it is true that regarding Darryn Binder we had to make several replacements because some people left the boat to join the VR46 team.
Afterwards, key people remain in place such as Wilco Zeelenberg and myself. We cannot therefore say that there are real obstacles before us. As far as the goals we set for ourselves, we would love to see Andrea fight for the championship. On the other hand, the goal for Darryn will be to win the rookie of the year title. Finally, regarding the team we would like to win the title of best independent team again. »
Unlike previous seasons, this time you will only be present in the premier category. Do you think this is more of an asset or a handicap?
« It's easier to just have to focus on MotoGP rather than being present in all three categories. That being said, we are talking about the premier category, so it is not going to be easy but we are going to do our best, and I think that with the duo of drivers that we have, we will be able to be competitive, and I think it's something important. »
“It’s easier to only have to focus on MotoGP rather than three categories”
The contract between RNF and Yamaha only lasts for one year. Do you think this can be renewed in 2023?
« Regarding the one-year contract with Yamaha, as I have already had the opportunity to point out in the past, this is all the work of the management of the Yamaha group, who considers that we are a new structure and that therefore we must first ensure our stability as well as our level of performance in all areas. Depending on how we are going to get out of this, it will then be possible to see further than a current contract over a single year with them. »
“For Yamaha, we must first ensure our stability as well as our level of performance”
What specifications of the M1 will be available to your two drivers?
« Yamaha has only given us two specifications, that is, last year's bike and this year's. Darryn Binder will therefore recover last year's bike, while Andrea Dovizioso will ride on the same bike as that used by the factory team's riders. I think in Darryn's case, the idea is really that he gets used to the philosophy of his machine, especially during the shakedown scheduled for next week at Sepang. He will have three days of testing on the bike, which will certainly be beneficial for him to get his bearings with it. He will also be able to count on Andrea to benefit from all the valuable advice he may need. »
Darryn Binder was the target of a lot of criticism last year due to some of his maneuvers on the track. Is this a topic of discussion with him? Are you talking about his mental approach to racing?
« For the moment the question of Darryn's development as a driver is in the hands of Wilco Zeelenberg [the team's team manager, editor's note] and his chief mechanic. We are going to take our time with him, we are not going to subject him to unnecessary pressure. In any case, we had to expect criticism aimed at a rider going directly from Moto3 to MotoGP, it's something normal.
But we believe in Darryn's potential, even if this all represents a big risk for both the team and him. But I must say that we have very capable people with rich experience in the team. This should allow us to guide him correctly race after race, with the idea of making him progress. But the most important thing is to make sure it progresses well, although you can never be sure how it will turn out because this is MotoGP. But I'm sure he'll be able to surprise everyone. »
“I’m sure Darryn will be able to surprise everyone”
Raul Fernandez has also been linked to your team. Can we say that recruiting young drivers to bring them to maturity is one of your objectives?
« I have to say that we have no plans beyond this season at the driver level at the moment. But our objective is to take young shoots and transform them into potential world champions. This is what we managed to do with Fabio, and it is still part of our philosophy. The little thing that's different this year though is that we've managed to find the right balance between experience and youth. »
“This year we found the right balance between experience and youth”
Generally, it is customary to ask drivers at the start of the season how they will be able to manage the pressure of results. But the least we can say is that the RNF team is in the same situation given its only year of contract linking it to Yamaha. So we imagine that you too have pressure...
« I don't necessarily agree. Our approach will be much the same as the one we took during our first season in 2019. We remain very humble and very cautious when it comes to our approach to racing. We don't want to put unnecessary pressure on ourselves. We are considered outsiders, and that's something I like, because in these conditions we can surprise people more easily. »
“We are considered outsiders, and that’s something I like”
What will be your main objective this season: achieve the best possible results in racing, or ensure the renewal of your contract with Yamaha?
« I think what matters for Yamaha is the stability that we will be able to establish within the team. Of course we have goals when it comes to our performance on track, but for Yamaha the important thing is really how we lead the team throughout the year. The fact is that Yamaha already knows us, because they have worked with us in the past and there have been very few changes among the team members. »
So you only have one year of contract for the moment with Yamaha. From what time of year do you hope to renew this?
« Yamaha will make a first assessment of our performances in June, and I am confident that we can do a good job, so we should be able to hope for a contract extension in the middle of the year, whether this concerns a or two more seasons. »
Last season was somewhat complicated for you. However, your first two years in the premier category went very well. How do you explain this jump in performance?
« This is a difficult question to answer. We have experienced both victory and defeat. We finished in 2019 in fourth place [in the teams' championship, editor's note] and second in 2020, but last year we were among the last. It made us more humble, and now we know what it feels like to not be in the mix. But it's sport. So we have to recover from that and set new goals with our new driver duo to move forward, that's all. »
“Now we know what it feels like to not be in the game”
What objective seems realistic to you for a private team like yours compared to factory teams with much more means and resources?
« I already think that having the same machine as the official Yamaha team will help us, even though we should receive the improvements with a little delay. Then, everything comes down to our relationship with the drivers, and our ability to support them well so that they can give the best of themselves. So I think there is no magic formula. »
What exactly will Wilco Zeelenberg’s role be this year?
« Wilco's role is not really going to change, he has been team manager for the last three years and that will continue to be the case. I think he's really the guy for the job when you look at his great experience with Yamaha. So in the spirit of stability and confidence, we are continuing with Wilco. »
