Razlan Razali was one of the founders of the RNF MotoGP Team but announced his departure last Friday, despite holding 40 percent of the shares. CryptoDATA confirmed the Malaysian’s exit from the team principal position, a decision reportedly made about a month ago, citing ‘poor performance and financial decisions’. The mention of an internal audit was also brought up.
Now, Razali has defended himself, as quoted by Motorsport.com, stating that the information from CryptoDATA is false: ‘I think the general assessment I would say is that for a team to be where they are today and for Dorna to say such things, there’s definitely a problem. And only Dorna can do what they are doing to ensure the credibility of the sport, of the image, so that it’s not being disrupted in any way. So, hence that means there’s a problem. By saying that, I do have a problem with CryptoDATA. I think over the years our vision of what we want from the team has shifted’.
The Malaysian emphasized that MotoGP is, above all, a sport where winning is the goal, but there’s also the business aspect with the need for payments and sponsorships: ‘That is second for us. For the guys of CryptoDATA it’s more about the business. And that’s where the alignment went a little bit wrong and it came to this situation’.
Regarding his departure, without entering into details, Razali claimed to have resigned ‘three weeks ago’, even though he only stepped down from the team principal role this Sunday. The registration on the UK government’s Companies House website confirms that Razali’s functions as a director ceased on November 14. His son, Noraida, also ended his connection as a director a day later.
Razali also stated: ‘In this world that we live in, it’s all about respect, it’s all about professionalism, it’s all about doing the right thing. Yes, they are here to change how things work and I respect that and I am open to that. But there are certain key pillars that you have to adhere to do business. And that’s where the situation is a bit off with what is happening right now’.
As for the documents allegedly proving Razali’s supposed unjustified expenditures, the Malaysian defended himself in statements to Motorsport.com: ‘I have not seen it. I think it’s definitely an attempt to do whatever to protect them, being defensive and to discredit me. I have been in this paddock for 14 years, I’ve been here since 2008 as a promoter, for 11 years at Sepang Circuit and five years as team principal. And these guys come in in a year and now they are publishing all this. We will let the truth come out sooner or later’.
On the other hand, Razali defended Dorna: ‘They don’t just kick people out for the sake of kicking people out. This is scary for other MotoGP teams and potentially investors, so there must be a strong basis for them to make that decision. I think both parties, Dorna and us, we were caught. They are new kids on the block and I think the championship needs someone new, especially someone in this industry, in the IT industry’.