The Monster Energy Yamaha factory team has unveiled its 2022 MotoGP livery ahead of the official pre-season test at Sepang.
Yamaha was the latest manufacturer to showcase its paint scheme for the 2022 MotoGP season in an online video debut a day before the official pre-season testing at Sepang.
Fabio Quartararo, the reigning MotoGP world champion, and new arrival Franco Morbidelli were among the 2022 riders on hand to unveil the next version of the Japanese marque’s M1 prototype.
The team will keep the regular ‘black-and-blue’ design seen since Monster replaced Movistar as title sponsor in 2019. The key difference with the latest livery is that the bottom of the fairing (containing the ENEOS insignia) is no longer red, but black.
The team also features significant branding from title sponsor Monster Energy, with both riders keeping their individual numbers for the year, with Quartararo opting for #20 rather than #1 and Morbidelli running the usual #21.
“The winter break was quite long, but if I’m honest I feel like I kept busy the whole time,” Quartararo said.
“There were many events for me to attend, and of course training continued as normal – so all in all it was quite busy, but in a good way.”
“I’m excited to begin the new season and start riding and improving,” the 2021 MotoGP Champion said.
“We got the title last year, and that’s great. Nobody can ever take that away from me, but as of the first day of riding, none of that matters anymore.”
“Last year’s title win is behind us now, we must focus on this year’s championship. Last year we barely did any pre-season testing due to the pandemic.
“This year I already have a year of experience with the Factory Team, so we know how to work well together. We know our strengths and where we can improve, so that will help during the tests in Sepang and Mandalika.”
Franco Morbidelli, who will ride beside Fabio Quartararo this season after Maverick Vinales’ departure, raced for the factory team for the final five races of last season after returning from knee surgery and missing five races.
“I have always had a good feeling on the Yamaha, but this M1 is so smooth,” Morbidelli said.
“I can’t wait to start riding the 2022 bike now that my knee is in a better condition… I’m very interested to see how our progress will continue.”
“I also look forward to seeing the whole team again at the tests. The atmosphere in the team was really nice last year, so let’s see what steps we can make during winter testing.”
As of now, the teams and riders are already at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, where the three-day shakedown for test and rookie riders has taken place. The first official pre-season test will take place this weekend before moving on to the Mandalika Circuit in Indonesia next week.
