Sepang Racing Team
Sepang Racing Team was a Malaysian Grand Prix motorcycle racing organization that competed in MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE before ceasing operations under that name after the 2021 season.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Sepang Racing Team was a Malaysian motorcycle-racing brand associated with the Sepang International Circuit. It developed from a middleweight-class operation launched by former Grand Prix racer Johan Stigefelt in 2014 with backing from Air Asia. The project used Caterham machinery in Moto2 and finished sixth in the championship with Johann Zarco and Josh Herrin. For 2015, the operation became associated with the Sepang International Circuit and established a more explicitly Malaysian identity, initially entering Moto3 as the SIC Racing Team. The team’s early lightweight-class line-ups included Malaysian rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin and Czech rider Jakub Kornfeil. Kornfeil scored two podiums in 2015 and finished twelfth in the championship, while Khairuddin’s best result was fifth at the Japanese Grand Prix. Kornfeil continued into 2016, ending that season eighth and adding a podium at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Adam Norrodin replaced Khairuddin, beginning a period in which the team developed Malaysian and international riders while building its presence in the world championship paddock. The organization expanded its sporting activities over the following seasons. It returned to Moto2 for 2018, initially involving Malaysian rider Hafizh Syahrin and later bringing back Zulfahmi Khairuddin after Syahrin moved to Tech 3 Yamaha’s MotoGP seat. In Moto3, the team continued with Adam Norrodin and Ayumu Sasaki, and later retained Sasaki while signing John McPhee. McPhee delivered the organization’s first Grand Prix victory at the 2019 French Grand Prix. A major transformation came with the announcement in 2018 that the team would enter MotoGP from the 2019 season. Yamaha supplied leased YZR-M1 motorcycles for the planned 2019–2021 period, while Petronas became the title sponsor. The premier-class entry was formally branded Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team, or Petronas Yamaha SRT, and fielded French rookie Fabio Quartararo alongside Italian rider Franco Morbidelli. The partnership with Petronas also extended into technical support, including the use of Petronas Sprinta engine oil. The wider racing operation retained Moto2 and Moto3 entries under the Petronas Sprinta Racing Team name and also entered the MotoE electric-motorcycle championship with British rider Bradley Smith. Its identity therefore combined Malaysian circuit ownership, international commercial sponsorship, Yamaha technology in MotoGP, and a multi-class rider-development structure. Petronas withdrew its sponsorship after the 2021 season. As a result, the MotoGP operation continued under the new name RNF MotoGP Racing, while the Moto2 and Moto3 entries were discontinued. Elements of the Moto3 program and some personnel were subsequently recruited by Michael Laverty for the VisionTrack Honda Moto3 team. Sepang Racing Team is consequently a defunct brand, although its MotoGP sporting operation continued in a successor form after the original name ended.
History
The project that became Sepang Racing Team began in 2014, when former Grand Prix racer Johan Stigefelt established a Moto2 operation using Caterham motorcycles and financial backing from Air Asia. The team competed with Johann Zarco and Josh Herrin and finished sixth in the championship. The following season it became associated with the Sepang International Circuit and entered Moto3, adopting the SIC Racing identity. The 2015 Moto3 line-up paired Malaysian rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin with Czech rider Jakub Kornfeil. Kornfeil achieved two podium finishes and placed twelfth in the championship, while Khairuddin’s best result was fifth at the Japanese Grand Prix. Kornfeil remained for 2016 and improved to eighth overall, taking a podium at the team’s home Malaysian Grand Prix. Adam Norrodin replaced Khairuddin and recorded two eleventh-place finishes. For 2017, Norrodin was retained and Ayumu Sasaki replaced Kornfeil. The two riders finished seventeenth and twentieth respectively. The team announced a Moto2 return for 2018, with Hafizh Syahrin initially selected for the project. Syahrin was released early from his contract after receiving the opportunity to replace Jonas Folger at Tech 3 Yamaha in MotoGP. Zulfahmi Khairuddin then returned to begin the season, while Niki Tuuli later replaced him after five rounds. In Moto3, Sasaki and Norrodin continued, with Norrodin’s best result being fifth. In July 2018, the team announced its entry into MotoGP for 2019. Yamaha agreed to provide leased YZR-M1 motorcycles for the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons. The team signed French rookie Fabio Quartararo and Italian rider Franco Morbidelli, while Petronas became title sponsor. The premier-class operation was named Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team, commonly abbreviated Petronas Yamaha SRT. The organization continued operating in the support classes. Its Moto2 entry used a Triumph-powered Kalex motorcycle and included Malaysian rider Khairul Idham Pawi. The Moto3 squad retained Sasaki and added John McPhee. McPhee’s victory at the 2019 French Grand Prix represented the team’s first Grand Prix win. The organization also entered MotoE, signing British rider Bradley Smith. At the 2019 Dutch TT, Petronas expanded its relationship with the team by becoming a technical partner. The team adopted Petronas Sprinta engine oil, reinforcing the commercial and technical dimensions of the partnership. Moto2 and Moto3 activities were branded Petronas Sprinta Racing Team, while the MotoGP entry retained the Petronas Yamaha SRT name. After the 2021 season, Petronas ended its sponsorship. The MotoGP operation was reorganized and continued as RNF MotoGP Racing. The Moto2 and Moto3 programs were closed, and substantial parts of the Moto3 structure were recruited by Michael Laverty for the new VisionTrack Honda Moto3 team. Sepang Racing Team therefore ceased to operate as a unified brand after 2021, although its premier-class sporting lineage continued through the successor RNF organization.
- 2022
MotoGP operation becomes RNF MotoGP Racing
[1]The premier-class entry continued under a new identity, while the Moto2 and Moto3 programs were disbanded.
- 2021
Final season under the Sepang Racing Team structure
[1]Petronas sponsorship ended after the season, leading to the team’s reorganization and brand discontinuation.
- 2019
MotoGP, MotoE and expanded support-class presence
[1]The organization entered MotoGP and MotoE while retaining Moto2 and Moto3 programs; John McPhee also won the French Moto3 Grand Prix.
- 2018
MotoGP entry announced
[1]The team announced a premier-class program for 2019 with Yamaha motorcycles and Petronas title sponsorship.
- 2015
SIC Racing Team begins Moto3 competition
[1]The operation became associated with the Sepang International Circuit and entered Moto3 with Zulfahmi Khairuddin and Jakub Kornfeil.
- 2014
Initial Moto2 operation launched
[1]Johan Stigefelt launched a Caterham-backed Moto2 team with Air Asia support.
Products and positioning
A Malaysian, circuit-backed international motorcycle-racing organization positioned around national representation, rider development, multi-class Grand Prix competition and high-profile commercial partnerships.
MotoGP racing team · 2019
Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team
The organization’s premier-class MotoGP program from 2019 through 2021. It used leased Yamaha YZR-M1 motorcycles and was title-sponsored by Petronas. Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli formed the initial rider pairing, giving the Malaysian-backed operation a visible presence in the sport’s top category.
Moto2 and Moto3 racing teams · 2019
Petronas Sprinta Racing Team
The support-class identity used for the team’s Moto2 and Moto3 programs during the Petronas era. The programs served as rider-development platforms and included Malaysian and international competitors. John McPhee produced the organization’s first Grand Prix victory in Moto3 at the 2019 French Grand Prix.
Electric motorcycle racing · 2019
MotoE program
The team expanded into the electric-motorcycle MotoE championship during its broader 2019 racing expansion. British rider Bradley Smith was signed for the program, adding an emerging electric-racing category to the organization’s conventional Grand Prix activities.
Brand decisions
2021
Reorganize after Petronas sponsorship withdrawalStrategyBackground
Petronas withdrew its sponsorship following the 2021 season.
Action taken
The MotoGP operation continued as RNF MotoGP Racing, while the Moto2 and Moto3 programs were disbanded.
Aftermath
The Sepang Racing Team brand ended, and parts of the Moto3 operation moved into Michael Laverty’s VisionTrack Honda project.
2019
Expand Petronas partnership into technical supportStrategyBackground
Petronas was already the MotoGP title sponsor when the parties broadened their relationship.
Action taken
Petronas became a technical partner and the team adopted Petronas Sprinta engine oil.
Aftermath
The sponsorship developed into a combined commercial and technical association across the MotoGP program.
2018
Move into MotoGPStrategyBackground
After developing through Moto2 and Moto3, the Sepang-backed operation sought a premier-class presence and announced entry for the 2019 season.
Action taken
The team secured leased Yamaha YZR-M1 motorcycles, signed Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli, and entered under the Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team name.
Aftermath
The decision transformed the organization into a multi-class international team with a high-profile MotoGP identity.
Recent events
Petronas and Sepang International Circuit end sponsorship partnership[3]
Reported:
Petronas and Sepang International Circuit mutually agreed to end their sponsorship partnership for the Petronas Sepang Racing Team; the termination is to take effect at the end of the 2021 MotoGP season.
Sepang Racing Team launches #WEARETHE7THGEAR fan community[4]
Sepang Racing Team launched #WEARETHE7THGEAR, a fan community initiative offering supporters behind-the-scenes access and other benefits.
Sources4 sources
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