The following is a press release from Yamaha regarding a new contract with Valentino Rossi to race the 2006 MotoGP series on a Yamaha. This ends the speculation regarding Rossi’s future, at least through 2006.
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and Valentino Rossi are delighted to announce
that Valentino will stay with Yamaha for a further year. Rossi will continue
to race in Yamaha’s MotoGP line-up riding the Yamaha YZR-M1 in the
2006 MotoGP World Championship.Rossi won the 2004 MotoGP World Championship with Yamaha and is
currently competing in his second season with the Japanese
manufacturer’s factory team. The 26-year old Italian leads the 2005
MotoGP World Championship by 120 points, following his 8th victory at last
weekend’s German Grand Prix.Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, Lin Jarvis, stated, “Since we announced the signing of Valentino
Rossi at the end of 2003 we had an astonishing first year with him, and are now enjoying great success again
in 2005. This year is the 50th anniversary for Yamaha and is therefore a very special year for us.
We hope our MotoGP efforts will culminate in a second world title for Valentino with Yamaha. We are
obviously very happy to have Valentino with us for another year and to keep him with MotoGP in 2006. The
partnership with Valentino is the key point that will now allow us to proceed with our total MotoGP strategy for
2006.”“I am so happy to be able to announce the continuation of my relationship with Yamaha” commented Rossi.
“Last year was magic, to win my first race with Yamaha, and then to win the championship. I have a fantastic
relationship with this factory and my team crew, who have worked so hard to make the M1 as competitive as it
is now, and it just made sense to stay with Yamaha for another year.”
