Monster Energy takes over Movistar as major team sponsor

Seven-time MotoGP Champion, Valentino Rossi, and Maverick Viñales recently unveiled their new Yamaha YZR-M1 bikes for the 2019 racing season. With their new major sponsor, Monster Energy, the team is now officially called, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP. A new black and blue livery is donned by the M1 race bikes. Appropriately, the team has also updated its battle cry to, “Beast mode on,” to signify its intention of taking back the Rider and Constructor's Championship, last won by the team in 2015.

Monster turns 2019 Yamaha MotoGP team black and blue image

“We're kicking off here in a very positive way,” said Lin Jarvis, Yamaha managing director at the season launch in Jakarta, Indonesia. “The season was quite tough, when we started 2018. We hoped to be at a better level. It was a long and hard season, but we recognized what problems we had. Having gone past that period, we have a renewed spirit. We’re ready to start this new season. If we can start the Sepang Test well, then, I think we’ll be in good shape for the season.”

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“With any team structure, there are always changes that need to be made. In Japan, we have seen there’s a new organization, headed by Kouichi Tsuji. Another change that is important is the interaction between Japan and Europe. We are expanding in Europe, in Italy, and that interaction will be important. I’m confident with the technical, personnel and riders, along with the partners we have, we’ll have a good season... We’re kicking off in a positive way, the merging of the brands gives us a new energy — literally. ‘Beast mode on’ is something we need to adopt if we want to become World Champions.”

Monster turns 2019 Yamaha MotoGP team black and blue image

“You know, in this moment, you are always very excited. It’s a shame because the holidays have finished, but we are ready. We have to work hard because in the last period, our opponents made a good step. In modern MotoGP, the key is the tires, we always work to save the tires. It’s a difficult job, it’s very precise, you have to work on your style and work hard with your engineers. This is the objective this year,” said Valentino Rosssi.

“For me it’s a long time with Monster and I always feel very comfortable. I like the colors, the green and black are good with the blue of our Yamaha — it’s aggressive. We’re like Men in Black. I’m very proud, it’s important to have Monster as a main sponsor,” he added.