Yamaha join Petronas and SIC in MotoGP synergy
YAMAHA Motor Company have come on board to join forces with Petronas and Sepang International Circuit (SIC) to set up Malaysia’s first-ever MotoGP team.
And together, the Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing team hope to hit the ground running in their first season in the premier class next year.
Yamaha Motor Company signed the agreement yesterday to work with the team from 2019 to 2021 to supply the bikes and technical expertise to riders Franco Morbidelli of Italy and Frenchman Fabio Quartararo.
SIC chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali said Morbidelli and Quartararo would be expected to challenge for honours next year.
“We have to stabilise the team in the first year to make sure the riders can be competitive,” said Razlan.
“In terms of performance, Quartararo will be aiming to be the top rookie (Rookie of the Year), and of course that is what we want.
“For Morbidelli, we want to see him become the best independent rider. The team will be based in Belgium,” said Razlan after signing the agreement with Yamaha Motor Company yesterday.
The signing was witnessed by Dorna chief executive officer Carmelo Ezpeleta, Yamaha MotoGP group leader Kouji Tsuya, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and SIC chairman Tan Sri Azman Yahya.
Syed Saddiq said these were exciting times in Malaysia.
“The fact that we have our very own MotoGP racing team showed the great interest by the government in the development of motorsports in the country and the SIC as the hub of motorsports,” said Syed Saddiq.