KUALA LUMPUR: The CryptoDATA RNF Racing MotoGP Team have confirmed that Datuk Razlan Razali will be leaving his team's principal post, but have strongly denied that they are in debt or are about to be taken over.
The team issued a statement to clear the air yesterday after rumours spread that RNF, which started life as the Sepang Racing Team (SRT), was experiencing financial difficulties and was set to be bought over.
"It's true that RNF had received an offer for the place on the grid - in Madrid at (the) DORNA Office. However, this offer was rejected officially more than two weeks ago. Since then no other negotiation was initiated," said RNF.
"The team does not have any debts or disputes with its suppliers, and all activity is carried out according to the business plan and contractual terms with the suppliers.
"The RNF Team is still 60 per cent owned by CDT SPORTS AND MEDIA SRL and 40 per cent by Razlan. RNF Racing Ltd is subject to an internal audit by the majority shareholder to review the internal processes and the activity of the employees.
"The changes in team management will come with certainty, as this is a transition year and after the audit we will put into place optimisation processes of human resources in order to implement the strategy to obtain performance in the team.
"The decision for Razlan not to be part of the RNF Team management was not only from yesterday (Friday), but was made more than one month ago due to shareholder pressure following poor performance and financial decisions."
RNF riders Miguel Oliveira, who is 16th in the overall standings, and Raul Fernandez (20th) have struggled to make an impact in the premier class this year. The team are in their first year with Aprilia.
Razlan had, on Friday, posted a farewell message on his social media accounts which further fueled speculation that the team was about to be taken over.
The MotoGP squad originally started out as SRT and raced with Petronas' backing as title sponsors between 2019 and 2021. Petronas parted ways with them at the end of the 2021 season.
Razlan took over ownership of the team from Sepang International Circuit at the end of 2021 and brought in new sponsors.
CryptoDATA Tech became majority shareholder (via CDT) in the team in November last year.