Let's talk MotoGP: What ambitions for CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team?

Now equipped withAprilia RS-GP, Training RNF MotoGP Team can she claim places of honor? With the 2023 season fast approaching, we present ten topics to watch out for throughout the year. This may concern drivers, teams or other themes, with, each time, a relatively clear-cut opinion; here we get wet. Of course, you are invited to say what you think in the comments. Yesterday, we returned to the place of European and Japanese manufacturers; an analysis that you can find by clicking on this highlighted link.

For their first year with Aprilia, the men of Razlan Razali will be keen to make a good impression. And for once, we believe in this project, the sauce can take off, and quickly. First of all, the machine is efficient and now well known. Its stability and versatility demonstrated in 2022 make it a weapon of choice for two talented newcomers. In addition, Aprilia really makes efforts and tries to surpass itself, particularly in aerodynamic. For the drivers who will ride the RS-GP22, this is a good sign for the future. The team, even if it has made more than doubtful choices in recent years (including 2022 recruitment, one of the worst in the modern era) has already been successful in the past.

It's a good point, and the fact that the team is making a fresh start helps considerably. It's a constant that we find in all sports, and it's why football teams are statistically better with a new coach. Certainly, the 2021 and 2022 seasons have been catastrophic, there are no other words, but this breath of fresh air, both in terms of the drivers selected and the equipment, can make a big difference. The dynamics, although so crucial, are not so important in this specific case.

 

So comes the question of pilots. Let it be said: the grid is so extensive that it is not difficult to choose well. RNF extension offered itself a choice crew, with Miguel Oliveira et Raul Fernandez. Be careful, because both are playing big and this is also why you will have to keep an eye on the formation from the Portuguese round.

For his part, Oliveira must confirm. His situation is particularly complex. If we raise the positive points, the Aprilia can help him regain consistency in performance, something he has sorely lacked since his arrival in MotoGP. There KTM was difficult to operate three weekends in a row, sometimes in a completely incomprehensible way like in 2021. This transfer can help him get through this and finally become regular.

But it's a double-edged sword. The KTM, as difficult as it was, allowed him to score five victories at the highest level at Tech3 or within the factory team. Miguel can be considered one of the best drivers to have never won a title. In fact, the move to RNF is therefore a regression for two reasons. Firstly, you are always closer to the release being a satellite pilot than an official. Second, if we think he can perform well often, he will have a harder time winning races like he did in previous years. On a good day, the potential of the Aprilia is still limited even if the winter tests are more than satisfactory. Aleix Espargaro has been developing the Italian since 2016 and has only had the pace to win twice in an entire campaign. We know the drill: fewer big performances mean less exposure, because consistency no longer really pays off.

 

 

An interesting avenue for the years to come would be to aim for the place of Maverick Vinales in the official team. Miguel has the profile to make a very good factory driver, while the Spaniard, relatively volatile, could well disappoint as was the case with Yamaha. Already 28 years old, Oliveira must be wary even if we are relatively confident as his talent is immense.

Completely different dynamic for Raúl Fernández. THE MotoGP go quickly, very quickly. It's absolutely crazy that in just one year, Fernández has gone from a potential generational talent to a survivor who can consider himself lucky to be here. Indeed, he did not go far from the correctional in 2022. He was preferred to Remy Gardner but it narrowly missed as the two pilots' campaigns Tech3 were gloomy. His age and his ceiling undoubtedly worked in his favor.

Because yes, and even if it's hard to hold on to that alone, Raúl has everything of a prodigy. Contrary to what many say, this touch of arrogance or at least his assertive character traits can be a real plus in our time. This will tend to motivate the driver in question, because he knows that he will be expected around the corner. Enea Bastianini is an example that this strategy can work. From now on, Raul Fernandez under pressure even if he approaches this campaign calmly, with the joy of driving. He must absolutely transform the test from 2023 to ensure a future at the highest level. He may be 21 years old, but the young guns are pushing into the intermediate category. For the moment, it is very promising especially since Massimo Rivola confided that taking into account the men of the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team was essential to the performance of the brand.

To conclude with a little “prognosis” (even if you shouldn't trust it, the unpredictability of our sport makes it beautiful), we think that both will get through it, and even, in the best case scenario, will tickle the officials. They are playing big, but we believe that both are very great artists who will manage to deal with the latent pressure linked to their survival in MotoGP in the medium term. Miguel Oliveira, in case of rain, has a card to play. If he manages to complement these one-off exploits of which he has the secret with good regularity in performance, then he will interest more than one team. We want to see a vengeful Raúl Fernández, explosive, as an outsider ready to do anything for podiums even if it means falling, and who tries to take the sprints to his advantage. A not so unlikely scenario if he avoids injuries. Moreover, both carried out conclusive tests in Portimão, and all this leaves us wondering. Doesn’t RNF have, on paper, one of the best crews in MotoGP? 

What do you think ? Are you as optimistic as we are about RNF? Tell us in the comments!

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport