All eyes were on the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ team on Tuesday morning as they showed off their new-look 2023 Yamaha M1 in Jakarta, Indonesia, at Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing’s 2023 '3S Dealer Meeting' - the largest dealer meeting in the world within Yamaha’s network. The perfect location for the Iwata factory to officially kick off their quest to reclaim the MotoGP™ World Championship this coming season.
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Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. President Yoshihiro Hidaka, General Manager Motorsports Development Division of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. & President of Yamaha Motor Racing Takahiro Sumi, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team Principal & Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis, Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing President Dyonisius Beti, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team Director Massimo Meregalli, and Factory Yamaha riders Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli took to the stage at the 2023 '3S Dealer Meeting' to share their thoughts on "a new era" for Yamaha.
An updated colour scheme for the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ YZR-M1 is the key headline from the launch, as the blue brand incorporates a camouflage design to their iconic blue and black style. The new look blends Yamaha’s signature blue with a smattering of grey, whilst still showcasing the adventurous lifestyle colour scheme of Monster Energy.
Takahiro Sumi, Yamaha Motor Racing President: "Since the Valencia Test, YMC’s Motorsports Development Division worked tirelessly to make further steps. Using the feedback of riders and the team, we have made improvements with the aim to contend for the MotoGP World Title again this year. We thank our loyal supporters as well as all Yamaha employees for their Kando* spirit. We are starting this season with a blank slate and a positive mindset. We know that the level of MotoGP is higher than ever, and with 42 races the demands on the riders and the bikes reach new levels, but we are ready for the challenge. Fabio Quartararo, Franco Morbidelli, and their Factory Team crews are fully motivated, so we are expecting lots of exciting racing to delight MotoGP fans around the world."
Lin Jarvis, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ Team Principal & Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director: "Last year our team achieved numerous successes whilst facing high-level competition and challenges. One of the highs that stood out, however, was the extension of our partnership with Monster Energy Company at the Catalan GP, which Fabio went on to win. In that moment, we were not only delighted to express our thanks for Monster Energy’s continuous support and their faith in our team, but we also felt excited to look to a future exploring new opportunities to make the bond between Yamaha and Monster Energy even stronger. This year, we are entering our eleventh year with Monster Energy as our sponsor and our fifth season with them as our title sponsor. This occasion deserved a new livery and a fresh start that matches our military-like focus as we fight for the 2023 MotoGP title. As a part of the strong global alliance between Yamaha and Monster Energy, the new look-and-feel will also be adopted by Yamaha’s factory teams in MX and Supercross, showing our unity.
We are also thankful to our official team sponsors, partners, and suppliers, many of whom we have had long-term partnerships with. Competing at the top-tier of motorcycle racing has never been more challenging than the coming year, and it’s thanks to the commitment and enthusiasm of our sponsors that we can concentrate on bringing the trophy home again. A full-on race calendar and additional sprint races mean we need to be focused, adaptable, and efficient right from the start of 2023 MotoGP testing."
Fabio Quartararo: “My winter break didn’t fully go as planned because I injured my hand during motocross training. But I’ve kept working non-stop. I’ve done a lot of cardio to make sure I’m 100% fit for the 2023 season. My hand injury is fully recovered now too, so I feel ready to fight for the title again. We have the new camouflage livery, which is a nice change. I like the new look, and it’s good to switch it up a bit. But more importantly, I am looking forward to start riding again. I am very curious to test the 2023 YZR-M1 in Sepang. We will work hard this season, as we always do. We have learned a lot in 2022, and now I just want to fight for the title again. My fans have been very supportive, sending me lots of messages over the winter. I’m excited to see them at the tracks again this season. We will have some fun!”
Franco Morbidelli: “We are making a fresh start today, with a new look. Everything has gone back to zero and anything is possible this season, so that is an exciting prospect. We’ve ended 2022 with an improved feeling. Now it’s important that we do a good job at the upcoming winter tests, so we will be ready to start the season in March with the first race in Portugal. There’s a new race format, which will take some getting used to for the riders and the teams, but I see it as a positive change because it’s something that the fans will enjoy. I want to thank the Indonesian fans who we saw at today’s dealer meeting for their support. Their enthusiasm has given us a boost, and I can’t wait to start the 2023 season in the best way possible.”