On Thursday evening, Motorsport.com reported that Petronas will end its support for SRT in the MotoGP World Championship at the end of the current season, just three years after the team’s tenure in the premier class.
Support is also ending for the Petronas Sprinta Moto2 and Moto3 teams, with both teams expected to be closed by SRT at the end of the year to secure the MotoGP project.
On Saturday morning, Petronas confirmed the reports from Motorsport.com in a press release.
Azhan Shafriman, CEO of Sepang Circuit, said: “SIC would like to thank Petronas for the unwavering support during the partnership and the remarkable journey together.
“We respected the decision of Pertonas and we agreed that this partnership has achieved its purpose and goals.
“We enjoyed a meaningful partnership with great successes and unforgettable moments with the team.
“I believe this is not the end of our partnership in motorsport as we continue our quest to nurture Malaysia’s motorsport talent.
“SIC is proud to have been involved in the formation and early development of the team that exceeded expectations with their performance.
“We wish the team all the best for the next phase of its development under a new unit.”
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SRT will confirm its plans for the 2022 season during the British Grand Prix weekend, where it officially announced its MotoGP plans for its debut season back in 2018.
Motorsport.com expects SRT to continue with Yamaha beyond 2021, but the agreement between the two parties has changed.
Instead of receiving factory-backed machines, SRT will receive two “B specification” bicycles for 2022.
The current SRT rider Franco Morbidelli will join the Yamaha factory team alongside Fabio Quartararo in 2022 to replace the outgoing Maverick Vinales.
With Valentino Rossi stepping down from MotoGP at the end of the year, SRT needs two replacements but is struggling to find the names they want.
First choice Raul Fernandez has signed a two-year Tech 3 contract with KTM, while Rossi’s protégé Marco Bezzecchi will join the VR46 Ducati team next season.
SRT Moto3 rider Darryn Binder – the younger brother of KTM’s Brad Binder – is promoted directly to MotoGP on one of the satellite Yamaha, while SRT Moto2 riders Jake Dixon and Xavi Vierge are also connected to seats.