Petronas Sprinta Racing present new Moto2™, Moto3™ liveries

Petronas Sprinta Racing have presented their Moto2™ and Moto3™ machines for the 2020 season at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto. Xavi Vierge, Jake Dixon, John McPhee and Khairul Idham Pawi donned their slightly new-look colours as the quartet hope to undergo a success maiden Official preseason Test in Jerez.

As one of the most experienced riders on the Moto3™ grid, McPhee starts the 2020 season as a genuine title contender. The Scot had an incredible 2019 racking up two pole positions, one fastest lap and three podium finishes, which also included the team’s first win – Le Mans.

KIP’s 2019 season was brought to an early end after he sustained a hand injury in Jerez. The affable Malaysian returns to the Moto3™ category and has already made good progress in re-acclimatising to the Honda NSF250RW in the two day private test, held in Jerez earlier this month.

2020 sees an all-new extended line-up for the team in the intermediate class, with the addition of a second bike, along with riders Vierge and Dixon. Last year saw the squad experience a challenging season with one bike and an injured main rider, but the season ahead offers new opportunities for the expanded squad.

Spanish sensation Vierge is no stranger to the Kalex package, having utilised their chassis for the past two years and claimed two podiums in the category. His highest placed finish of 2019 was achieved at the Malaysian Grand Prix, where he finished just outside of the podium positions in fourth.

Teammate Dixon made his Moto2™ debut in 2017, before completing his first full Moto2™ season in 2019. The Brit makes the change to the Kalex chassis but has already enjoyed a successful private test that saw him gel with his Petronas Sprinta Racing machine.

Razlan Razli, Team Principal: “PETRONAS Sprinta Racing should be a force to be reckoned with in the junior class. We truly believe this. It’s a year of reckoning for John McPhee as the most experienced rider in the field, coming off a strong 2019. For KIP, the return to Moto3 gives him the best opportunity to rebuild. Both riders complement each other really well so they should work well together over the season ahead. John was a regular podium contender last season, so we want more of the same in 2020. He has the pace and experience to challenge for the title. KIP returns to the category where he’s had previous podium success after his difficult 2019. We expect to see him get back his form and rhythm. We want to see him in the top-ten with the potential to make all Malaysians proud as he did in his first season in Moto3.

“We expect great things from Petronas Sprinta Racing in Moto2 over the season ahead. It’s no secret that 2019 was a challenging year for us with a one-bike squad and an injured rider. 2020 is different. We have an extended squad with two bikes. Xavi Vierge comes with much experience and with this there is a lot of expectation too. We believe that he will flourish with our team. It’s not only Jake Dixon’s first time with us but also on the Kalex too and we think he could be a rider who will surprise people.”

Johan Stigefelt, Team Director: “The rider line-up for 2020 is really strong. John McPhee is an intelligent and rapid rider and KIP is back to Moto3, where he has previously achieved great results. I think we definitely have good team-mates that will help each other. The biggest challenge for John will be to be strong at the end of the races. We know we can be fast but we need to be at the front right when the chequered flag falls. KIP will learn a lot from John on his return to the category. He is coming back from Moto2, a very tough class. Moto3 is a lighter class and I think it is better suited to him. It’s sure to be an interesting season ahead.

“It’s an exciting time for Petronas Sprinta Racing in Moto2 as we are running with two bikes this season. Xavi has a lot of potential. He is very talented and fast and he has been working very hard in the build-up to the season. Jake had a tough debut full Moto2 season but we have identified positive potential for him coming to a strong team, package and crew with experience around him. We have a very good combination and we’re looking forward to benefiting from fielding two bikes as it brings many benefits.”

Khairul Idham Pawi: “I was considering a return to Moto3 for a long time because I only had one year there, but I was able to get good results, achieving my two wins in the World Championship. For this season, I want to target to stay within the top-five and of course I want to visit the podium! I know the team and John will help me a lot and I want to get some good results for them, especially because riding in a Malaysian team in the World Championship is a dream for me. It’s a really nice feeling and I’m looking forward to getting back out there on track.”

Khairul Idham Pawi: “I was considering a return to Moto3 for a long time because I only had one year there, but I was able to get good results, achieving my two wins in the World Championship. For this season, I want to target to stay within the top-five and of course I want to visit the podium! I know the team and John will help me a lot and I want to get some good results for them, especially because riding in a Malaysian team in the World Championship is a dream for me. It’s a really nice feeling and I’m looking forward to getting back out there on track.”

Xavi Vierge: “Being with Petronas Sprinta Racing in Moto2 everything is possible if we work hard and in the right direction. I have learnt a lot from last year, so I think we have a really good starting point. I’ve also been working really hard with our team trainer, Aleix Santacreu, improving my physical condition and spending a lot of hours riding motorbikes. The first target for 2020 is to be in the top-five, then to go for the podiums and, why not, fight for the victories?”

Jake Dixon: “I’m in a great team with a competitive bike and a strong teammate. Xavi has a bit more experience than me and I want to try to learn from where he is stronger than me. I want to have a good solid year and progress as the season goes on. If everything goes as we want and we work hard maybe I can fight for a podium. I will give my best and I’m really looking forward to starting the 2020 season.”