The worst-kept secret in the paddock was confirmed at Silverstone with a lengthy formal announcement of the Petronas Yamaha MotoGP team competing from next year, taking over from the long-serving Tech 3 satellite team, and extending the involvement of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and Malaysian sponsors Petronas across all three classes.
There were no surprises, with MotoGP riders confirmed as Franco Morbidelli and current Moto2 rider Fabio Quartararo; Moto2’s Malaysian Khairul Idham Pawi switching from Honda Team Asia; and John McPhee replacing Adam Norrodin alongside Ayumu Sasaki. (Norrodin will be supported in the Spanish CEV Moto2 series for two years, to give him the chance to mature.)
As well as all the riders, Yamaha management and existing Petronas Motos 2 and 3 team manager Johan Stigefelt (the new team director), plus Dorna’s Carmelo Ezpeleta, the conference was hosted by Malaysia’s Minister for Youth and Sport, the Chairman of SIC as well as the CEO, and the CEO of Petronas, making for some top-heavy speechifying before matters relating to racing could be addressed.
It was, said the SIC chairman, “a giant step for us”; while the Minister spoke about “the ecosystem of motorsport” inspiring and involving large numbers of Malaysian youth.
As encouraging from the paddock’s point of view was the increased commitment from Petronas, spreading welcome sponsorship money and potentially attracting other corporate backing, according to the SIC chairman.
By Michael Scott
SIC Petronas racing team, Sasaki, Tuuli, Norrodin, British Moto2 2018