RNF Racing Team Manager Razlan Razali is adamant Andrea Dovizioso can fight for the 2022 MotoGP World Championship on his return to the premier class.
RNF Racing has emerged from the remnants of the Petronas SRT Yamaha team, which was reorganized and downsized after the Malaysian oil giants’ primary title holders withdrew sponsorship for the 2022 season.
The new name and look are reflected in a bold new rider line-up which sees three-time MotoGP runners-up Dovizioso – who sat out most of the 2021 season after splitting from Ducati – returning to the series with Darryn Binder. who drew attention to himself with his remarkable jump from Moto3.
RNF enters 2022 to banish memories of a tough 2021 season that saw Franco Morbidelli earn just a single podium in the half-season he competed before injury, and a climb from Yamaha Factory limited his track time while Rossi struggled to impress what would be his final season in the sport.
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In fact, Razali was reluctant to take on Rossi after being traded for eventual 2021 MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo and admits the Italian legend hadn’t achieved the results he expected.
“What happened to the team last year happened, but it was a pleasure working with Valentino,” Razali told our sister publication Crash.net. “In terms of value it was great and it was an honor that we were the last team he rode with.
“We learned a lot from our side having him on the team. How to deal with a guy like him. He has also given us a mindset for the important things to focus on. The things you like to have versus what you really need. I think that’s important.
“In terms of results, we never thought it would be like this, I don’t think he thought he was going to perform like that. But it happens! We just have to remember that it was a good thing to work with him. Now we’re starting over with a new book.”
Can Andrea Dovizioso fight for the 2022 MotoGP title?
Razali struggles to insist Dovizioso, who at 35 is the oldest rider on the grid, is at the top of his game despite his break and the biggest return over the last five laps on a two-year-old Yamaha M1.
“Obviously some fans or skeptics will compare and say it could be another season like Valentino,” Razali said of Dovizioso. “But people forget that we got Valentino when he was 42. Dovi is 35. If you look at where Valentino was when he was 35, he was still at his peak. I think that’s a whole different comparison.
“It’s valid because he’s the oldest guy in the field now, a little older than Aleix [32]. But Dovi has done a lot during his time at Ducati. Triple runner-up. He was previously at Tech3 on the Yamaha. And most importantly, he had the five races last year.
“Yes it was on a two year old bike but I think it gives it that feeling and competitiveness that is back. He hasn’t been pushing but now with the same package as the factory guys I think he could be one of the drivers who can fight for the championship.”