Strange one, Fiat backing Yamaha & Rossi in MotoGP
Discussion
Following Camal Cigarette's withdrawl from sponsoring Yamaha in MotoGP the factory bikes have been running in an all black livery with large company logos. Thought to be sponsoring their own team on 07 in the old corporate colours maybe, it seems that the likely backers for the team will be Fiat. Fiat?!?!?!? I bet Ducati are steaming.
The mystery of Yamaha's MotoGP title sponsor could soon be solved with Fiat thought to be on the brink of completing a deal to back the factory M1s - and more specifically Valentino Rossi - for the 2007 season.
Although an Italian car manufacturer supporting a Japanese motorcycle racing team may seem an odd mix, Fiat is eager to use Rossi's enormous popularity to help sell its new 500 model in Italy - and, according to the Italian press, a two-year contract is now 'on the table' - although it is unclear if the thorny issue of using Rossi's image for advertising purposes is included in the offer, or if it simply involves acquiring the major naming rights on the race livery of Rossi, Colin Edwards and the Yamaha team.
Meanwhile, a Fiat deal would also heighten speculation that The Doctor could increasingly switch to his 'second love' of rallying with the support of the Italian company. Rossi, whose current Yamaha contract is due to conclude at the end of this season, previously completed several high-profile tests for the Fiat-owned Ferrari F1 team, but ruled out a full time switch and recent comments suggest that rallying is still most likely for his post-MotoGP future.
Spanish telecommunications company Telefonica and Yamaha itself are the other leading options for title sponsor of the Factory Yamaha Team, a position occupied by Camel in 2006. Yamaha, which is currently testing in temporary colours, must use its full 2007 race livery at the official IRTA test, at Jerez, from February 23-25.
Paving the way to rallying next year?
Crash.net said:
The mystery of Yamaha's MotoGP title sponsor could soon be solved with Fiat thought to be on the brink of completing a deal to back the factory M1s - and more specifically Valentino Rossi - for the 2007 season.
Although an Italian car manufacturer supporting a Japanese motorcycle racing team may seem an odd mix, Fiat is eager to use Rossi's enormous popularity to help sell its new 500 model in Italy - and, according to the Italian press, a two-year contract is now 'on the table' - although it is unclear if the thorny issue of using Rossi's image for advertising purposes is included in the offer, or if it simply involves acquiring the major naming rights on the race livery of Rossi, Colin Edwards and the Yamaha team.
Meanwhile, a Fiat deal would also heighten speculation that The Doctor could increasingly switch to his 'second love' of rallying with the support of the Italian company. Rossi, whose current Yamaha contract is due to conclude at the end of this season, previously completed several high-profile tests for the Fiat-owned Ferrari F1 team, but ruled out a full time switch and recent comments suggest that rallying is still most likely for his post-MotoGP future.
Spanish telecommunications company Telefonica and Yamaha itself are the other leading options for title sponsor of the Factory Yamaha Team, a position occupied by Camel in 2006. Yamaha, which is currently testing in temporary colours, must use its full 2007 race livery at the official IRTA test, at Jerez, from February 23-25.
Paving the way to rallying next year?
I would think 2007 will be Rossi's last year in Moto GP before a switch to the WRC.
I think the FIAT link is purely using Rossi's name to sell cars in his home country and Europe, as the FIAT group has had no involvement in the WRC since Lancia pulled out of the WRC 15 years ago.
Last Novemeber Rossi actually won the Monza Rally in a WRC Focus which included thrashing former WRC Champion Didier Auriol, so he's got the talent on four wheels, and he's already stated his intention to enter the 2007 Rally GB.
I think the FIAT link is purely using Rossi's name to sell cars in his home country and Europe, as the FIAT group has had no involvement in the WRC since Lancia pulled out of the WRC 15 years ago.
Last Novemeber Rossi actually won the Monza Rally in a WRC Focus which included thrashing former WRC Champion Didier Auriol, so he's got the talent on four wheels, and he's already stated his intention to enter the 2007 Rally GB.
Fiat sponsors Yamaha? It does seem unlikely, but there is a historical relationship. I recall that Ferrari used to have a technical tie-in with Yamaha. They got 5 valve F1 cylinder heads fettled by Yamaha. I think it it must have meant they were running 60 valve engines.I saw some possible colour schemes for the bikes which I thought looked superb.
I hope the conjecture about WRC is right. It'd be brilliant to see Fiat back in rallying, especially via Lancia.
I hope the conjecture about WRC is right. It'd be brilliant to see Fiat back in rallying, especially via Lancia.
huckster6 said:
I hope the conjecture about WRC is right. It'd be brilliant to see Fiat back in rallying, especially via Lancia.
I'm not aware of any rumours that Fiat either directly or under the Lancia brand have any intentions of coming back to the WRC in the foreseeable future...??
Will have to do some digging....
Rossi has extended his Yamaha deal until the end of 2008.
www.crash.net/news_View~t~Rossi-extends-Yamaha-deal-to-2008-~cid~6~id~142697.htm
www.crash.net/news_View~t~Rossi-extends-Yamaha-deal-to-2008-~cid~6~id~142697.htm
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