The RNF team, named until last year Petronas and currently equipped by Yamaha, will compete in the MotoGP World Championship with Aprilia motorcycles from next season, the two teams announced on Friday.
RNF Racing and Aprilia Racing unveiled “this partnership for two seasons, renewable for two more seasons” two days before the Italian Grand Prix at the Mugello circuit in Tuscany.
This is the first time that the Italian brand, which announced Thursday the extension until 2024 of its pilots Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales within its main team, will have a satellite team and therefore four motorcycles entered in the world championship. .
“We always think in small incremental steps. And as we demonstrate the competitiveness of our RS-GP, a natural part of the trip is to see two more on track,” commented Massimo Rivola, Aprilia CEO.
“Our philosophy remains to work with the manufacturer’s team to develop riders who one day will become Aprilia riders,” said RNF manager Razlan Razali.
It was at Yamaha-Petronas, formerly known as RNF, that Frenchman Fabio Quartararo started in MotoGP in 2019 before replacing legend Valentino Rossi in the official Yamaha team and winning the 2021 world championship there.
The two current RNF riders are Italian Andrea Dovizioso, 36, engaged until this year, and South African Darryn Binder, 24, Brad’s brother, promoted to MotoGP this year with an option for 2023.
