The Malaysian Grand Prix turned out to be a challenging event for the RNF-Aprilia team, with both riders, Miguel Oliveira and Raúl Fernández, facing significant difficulties. The race ended with a disappointing result, as the two riders only completed about a dozen laps together.
Raúl Fernández, the 2021 Moto2 World Championship runner-up, expressed his frustration and confusion with the situation. The rider emphasized the need for the team to have more track time and kilometers to improve, but technical issues led to his retirement on the seventh lap. This was a particularly disheartening moment for Fernández, who had high expectations for the race.
To compound the team’s problems, Miguel Oliveira, Fernández’s teammate, crashed early in the race. This added to the team’s disappointment, led by the enthusiastic team principal Razlan Razali, especially as it was their home Grand Prix.
Fernández expressed strong criticisms of Aprilia, stating that the team did not receive any support or technical updates from the manufacturer. He also pointed out that the only new parts on their bikes were the new tires. This lack of support and updates, according to Fernández, contrasts sharply with the approach of other manufacturers, such as Ducati, who strive to help all their riders.
Fernández speculated that the lack of development of the four Aprilia bikes may be due to insufficient data collection. Additionally, the satellite team RNF was only equipped with last year’s RS-GP-22 material, which could be another factor for their difficulties.
Despite these challenges, Fernández expressed his deep appreciation for the dedication of his team. He highlighted the hard work and commitment of the team, even in difficult conditions, and lamented the team’s struggles.
The only positive point for Fernández was the performance of his younger brother, Adrián, who finished fifth in the Moto3 World Championship race with Leopard Honda, achieving his best result in the championship.
The results of the MotoGP race in Sepang were as follows: Enea Bastianini of Ducati won, followed by Alex Márquez and Pecco Bagnaia. Ducati also clinched the Constructors’ World Championship, while Prima Pramac Racing led the Teams’ World Championship.
