DARRYN BINDER JOINS REBRANDED YAMAHA TEAM
Moto3 rider Darryn Binder will make the leap up to the premier class signing with Yamaha’s satellite MotoGP World Championship team for 2022, rebranded as the RNF MotoGP Team after a new deal was struck with the Japanese manufacturer.
The 23-year-old South African will join RNF’s lineup in 2022 alongside MotoGP veteran Andrea Dovizioso, with the option to extend his deal until 2023.
Following two years of riding in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, Binder started his full-time Moto3 World Championship class career in 2015.
In his seven Moto3 seasons Binder has managed six podiums, including a win at the 2020 Catalan GP and currently sits sixth in Moto3 this year,
The new recruit will join his older brother Brad at the highest level, and was pleasantly surprised by the promotion.
“I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity, as it has been a lifelong dream to race in the MotoGP category,” Binder said.
“I definitely didn’t expect to make the jump straight from Moto3 to the highest class, but I do believe I’m up for the challenge, and I‘m ready to put in all the hard work for 2022.
“My target at the beginning will be just to find my feet in the big class and learn as much as possible to get stronger and stronger throughout my rookie season.
“I would like to say a really big thank you to Yamaha and the RNF MotoGP Team for everything they have done to make this possible as well as everyone who has been involved in getting me to this point.
“I‘m now just looking forward to riding the Yamaha YZR-M1 for the first time at the end of this season.”
Yamaha Motor Company Managing Director Lin Jarvis was proud to announce the new signing.
“I want to give a warm welcome to Darryn. We are delighted that he is joining the Yamaha line-up next year,” Jarvis said.
“For Yamaha the primary mission of the satellite team is developing future MotoGP talents.
“Darryn has already shown on numerous occasions what he‘s made of in the Moto3 class.
“We know he is a fast and determined rider who has got what it takes to battle at the front of the pack.”
The freshly branded RNF MotoGP Team will sit alongside the Yamaha factory team in 2022, with the option for the partnership to be extended into 2023 and 2024.
Former CEO of Sepang International Circuit and Team Principal Razlan Razali will remain at the helm of the team formerly known as Sepang Racing Team, which has the rights to an Independent Team in MotoGP until 2026.
Jarvis was excited about the new era at Yamaha.
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with the now rebranded RNF MotoGP Team,” Jarvis said.
“The impressive 2019 season and exceptional 2020 season results underline the professionalism and quality of this team that will soon be renamed RNF MotoGP Team.
“The core DNA of this team remains, so we are confident to continue with them as our official supported satellite team.
“Moreover, Yamaha has always been clear that it wants to continue to have four bikes in total on the MotoGP grid: two bikes in the Factory Team and two bikes in the Independent team.”
Razali was thankful to Yamaha for the opportunity to have RNF on the biggest stage in 2022.
“I would like to thank Yamaha for the trust and confidence given to me and the team for the upcoming season despite the changes that happened this year,” Razali said.
“The achievements that we have shared together in the first three years of our partnership with wins, podiums, pole positions, and awards has been memorable and motivates us towards greater heights.
“We have the experience from our past successes, supported by the same strong and passionate crew from our MotoGP garage, with a solid rider line-up, so we are set for a competitive comeback with Yamaha for the 2022 season.”
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