RNF Aprilia finally unveiled its MotoGP bike for the 2023 season
RNF Racing is the final MotoGP team to reveal its bike color schemes on Monday. It is its debut season as an Aprilia satellite team.
Fernandez and Oliveira will make their formal Aprilia debuts this weekend at the 2023 MotoGP season opener in Portimao, after transferring from KTM.
The Razlan Razali-owned team was formed from the Petronas Sepang Racing Team, which announced its retirement from MotoGP at the end of the 2021 season.
RNF remained a Yamaha client in 2022, but the squad that finished second to Franco Morbidelli in the 2020 championship battled for form and finished second-to-last in the teams’ standings with a meager 37 points.
After failing to negotiate a multi-year contract extension with Yamaha, RNF chose to sign a two-year agreement with Aprilia to become the marque’s first satellite MotoGP team since its return in 2015.
In addition to a new manufacturer, RNF has a new majority shareholder in the crypto business CryptoDATA.
When Darryn Binder sought refuge in Moto2 and Andrea Dovizioso resigned following last year’s San Marino GP, RNF has a revamped rider line-up for 2023, including KTM exiles Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez.
“I’m thrilled to finally start the new season with a revamped spirit and our bold new colours that reflect the new CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team,” Razali said.
“As a team, we’re dedicated to making changes and going out of the box from the norm of the sport.
“We’ve partnered with CryptoDATA to bring cutting-edge technology to the sport and help us stay at the forefront of innovation.
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“But beyond our partnership, we’re focused on bringing our own unique approach to racing, with a team culture that emphasises excellence, determination, passion and the desire to be different.”
With RNF switching to Aprilia machinery in 2023, Yamaha will be the sole manufacturer on the grid without a satellite partner.
The RNF team had a strong pre-season testing period, with five-time race winner Oliveira finishing 11th overall at the end of the Portugal test.
While the team will have tight relations with Aprilia in 2023, full works-spec motorcycles will not be used this season.
The whole MotoGP grid has revealed the liveries it will race with this season, with RNF’s official 2023 debut on Monday afternoon.
The new season kicks off this weekend with the Portuguese Grand Prix, and sprint races will be included for the first time in MotoGP history.