MotoGP class grid for 2024."
The statement arrived with
near comical timing after Cryp-
toDATA had announced a new
partnership for its 2024 team.
The Romanian crypto company
then threatened to take legal ac-
tion against Dorna, a threat that
is unlikely to carry much sway
against their rapidly deteriorat
-
ing fortunes. "We're not just
disappointed, we're ready to fight
back," wrote Ovidiu Toma, Cryp
-
toDATA CEO. "We will go to court
with a demand for substantial
compensation for damage to our
business and reputation."
Razali appeared at the Ricardo
Tormo Circuit on Monday morn
-
ing to offer his view of affairs. "I
do have a problem with Crypto-
DATA. I think over the years, our
vision of what we want from the
team has shifted.
"They (Dorna) don't just kick
people out for the sake of kick-
ing people out. This is scary for
other MotoGP teams and poten-
tially 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 some
-
one in this industry, in the IT
industry."
Razali had come to rely on
CryptoDATA, who bought the
majority stake in the team, at the
close of last year, after he had
lost Italian title sponsor WithU
due to a poor run of results and
running into financial difficulties.
Dorna refused to comment
any further on the matter.
Trackhouse Entertainment
Group, an American organization
run by Justin Marks, which runs
a team in NASCAR, is believed to
be taking over. The majority of
staff of the former RNF crew will
be retained for next year, includ
-
ing riders Miguel Oliveira and
Raul Fernandez.
Neil Morrison
VOLUME ISSUE NOVEMBER , P31
Di Giannantonio Confirmed At VR46 Ducati
F
abio Di Giannantonio will slot
into the spot vacated by Luca
Marini in the VR46 Ducati squad
for the 2024 MotoGP season.
Di Giannantonio's future was
the cause of much speculation
after it was confirmed Marc Mar
-
quez would be taking his place
at Gresini Ducati for 2024. How-
ever, his explosion of form since
that point has seen him rack
up a podium in Australia and
his maiden win in Qatar, putting
him at the front in the queue for
the VR46 seat ahead of Moto2
hotshot Fermin Aldeguer.
"I'm happy to join such a
strong team as the Mooney
VR46 Racing Team. I can learn a
lot, and I can't wait to start work
-
ing together on this project; we
can do really good things," Di Gi
-
annantonio said in a statement.
"In the last two seasons in Mo-
toGP, I have grown a lot, and in
this team, I will certainly be able
to mature further and achieve
great results. I'm excited, I can't
wait to meet all my new staff
and crew and start working on
the track. Thanks to everyone
who made this possible."
In Valencia, Luca Marini was
finally confirmed at Repsol
Honda, replacing Marquez.
CN
Fabio Di Giannantonio
will remain on the
MotoGP grid for 2024
after signing with
VR46 Ducati.
