KUALA LUMPUR: The MotoGP selection committee dropped a bombshell tonight after confirming that CryptoDATA RNF Racing MotoGP Team have been stripped of their grid slots for next year.
The committee, which is comprised FIM, Irta and Dorna Sports representatives, confirmed this in a statement which also disclosed that they will be reviewing an application for a new satellite team.
"Repeated infractions and breaches of the Participation Agreement affecting the public image of MotoGP have obliged this decision (to drop CryptoDATA RNF)," said the committee.
"The selection committee will be reviewing applications for a new independent team, using Aprilia machinery, to join the MotoGP class grid for 2024.
"More information on this matter will follow in due course."
Rumours had spread over the past week that the Aprilia-powered team was in financial difficulty and was set to be taken over by new owners.
Team principal and co-owner, Datuk Razlan Razali, had on Friday posted a farewell message on his social media accounts which further fuelled speculation that the team was about to be taken over.
CryptoDATA RNF, however, issued a statement on Saturday which confirmed Razlan's departure but denied that they were in debt and were about to be taken over.
The MotoGP squad originally started out as Sepang Racing Team (SRT) and raced with Petronas' backing as title sponsors between 2019-2021. Petronas parted ways 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 in the team in November last year.