The renamed WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team will be unveiled at an event in Verona on Monday 24th January, with Andrea Dovizioso and Darryn Binder dressed in full regalia as they spearhead Yamaha's latest MotoGP™ satellite team project. Much has been said about the challenge facing the South African rookie, who has made the jump directly from Moto3™, whilst the possibilities for Dovi have divided opinion.
There is little doubt regarding the pedigree of the three-time MotoGP™ World Championship runner-up, but at 35, is he the same rider as before? That’s the question being asked by onlookers and his Team Principal Razlan Razali is quick to dismiss the notion.
The Italian takes over from Valentino Rossi as the grid’s eldest rider, but for Razali, that’s as far as the comparison goes, even claiming that Dovizioso has title credentials.
"Of course, some fans or sceptics will compare and say it could be another season like Valentino's," he said in an interview with Crash.net. "But people forget that we had Valentino when he was 42. Dovi' is 35. If you look at where Valentino was when he was 35, he was still at the top. So, I think it's a totally different comparison."
"It's a valid comparison because now he's the oldest guy on the grid, slightly older than Aleix (Espargaró, 32). But 'Dovi' did a lot in his time at Ducati. Three times runner-up. Before that, he was with Tech3 on the Yamaha. And the most important thing is that he completed all five races last year."
"Yes, it was with a bike from two years ago, but I think it gives him the feeling and the competitiveness is back," continued Razali, before demonstrating his absolute faith in the Italian rider's chances of challenging for everything during the 2022 campaign: "He wasn't pushing, but now with the same package as the factory guys I think he can be one of the riders who can fight for the championship."
Dovizioso will continue to work in 2022 with Ramon Forcada, Jorge Lorenzo's Crew Chief in his successful seasons with Yamaha and a key player in the successes of Maverick Viñales and Franco Morbidelli with the brand. Now 'Dovi' takes over from Rossi in the satellite structure. "It was a pleasure to work with Valentino," said Razali, who described it as "an honour" that the genius from Tavullia ended his career with his team.
The apprenticeship with the 'Doctor' is also worth its weight in gold: "We learned a lot having him in the team. How to manage a guy like him. He also gave us a mentality of the important things to focus on. The things that are nice to have versus the things you really need. I think that's important. An invaluable starting point to work on now alongside Dovizioso.”