Fiat close to Yamaha deal?
The mystery of Yamaha's MotoGP title sponsor could soon be solved with Fiat thought to be on the brink of completing a deal to back the factory M1s - and more specifically Valentino Rossi - for the 2007 season.
Although an Italian car manufacturer supporting a Japanese motorcycle racing team may seem an odd mix, Fiat is eager to use Rossi's enormous popularity to help sell its new 500 model in Italy - and, according to the Italian press, a two-year contract is now 'on the table' - although it is unclear if the thorny issue of using Rossi's image for advertising purposes is included in the offer, or if it simply involves acquiring the major naming rights on the race livery of Rossi, Colin Edwards and the Yamaha team.
Meanwhile, a Fiat deal would also heighten speculation that The Doctor could increasingly switch to his 'second love' of rallying with the support of the Italian company. Rossi, whose current Yamaha contract is due to conclude at the end of this season, previously completed several high-profile tests for the Fiat-owned Ferrari F1 team, but ruled out a full time switch and recent comments suggest that rallying is still most likely for his post-MotoGP future.
Spanish telecommunications company Telefonica and Yamaha itself are the other leading options for title sponsor of the Factory Yamaha Team, a position occupied by Camel in 2006. Yamaha, which is currently testing in temporary colours, must use its full 2007 race livery at the official IRTA test, at Jerez, from February 23-25.