The color scheme of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP bikes remains the same for the 2022 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP YZR-M1, with the team‘s YZR-M1, the pit box, and the riders‘ leathers sporting a ’Monster Energy black‘ to ’Yamaha Factory Racing blue‘ gradient.
The perfect blend between Yamaha‘s aesthetic and Monster Energy‘s instantly recognizable claw branding is also represented in the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team logo and on the team uniforms.
Yamaha has a long-term global alliance with the team‘s title sponsor, Monster Energy Company, based on their mutual passion for racing.
A multiple-year title sponsorship agreement with the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team was signed in the summer of 2018 and came naturally, as Monster Energy Company sponsors multiple Yamaha teams (among them the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP team since 2013) and riders (including Quartararo and Morbidelli) in various racing classes.
The 2022 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP YZR-M1 is powered by a 1000cc inline-4 with a cross-plane crankshaft, with a maximum output north of 240 horsepower—all managed by a Marelli ECU.
The six-speed transmission is a cassette design, allowing quick changes of gearsets—various gear ratios are available. Öhlins supplies the suspension, and Brembo takes care of the braking.
Quartararo and his teammate, Franco Morbidelli, have a choice of 320mm, 340mm, or 350mm carbon fiber front discs, depending on the demands of the track. The rear disc is stainless steel.
Michelin tires are mounted on 17-inch magnesium wheels. That’s an aluminum twin-spar frame with adjustable geometry, and the swingarm is an aluminum/carbon-fiber mix. The 2022 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP YZR-M1 hits the scales at over the FIM MotoGP minimum of 346 pounds.
Quartararo starts 2022 with his first GP title, though he will continue to run #20. His first GP win was in 2018 in the Moto2 class at the Catalan GP, three years after his Moto3 debut.
Since then, Quartararo has racked up eight MotoGP wins and 20 podiums in the MotoGP class. The 22-year-old from Nice, France, also has 15 MotoGP poles to his credit.
Franco Morbidelli returns as Quartararo’s Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP teammate. Although hobbled by injuries last year, Morbidelli was the runner-up to Joan Mir in the 2020 MotoGP World Championship Series.
Morbidelli also has the 2017 MotoGP World Championship and 2013 European Superstock 600 Championship on his résumé. Morbidelli was born in Rome and is 27 years old.
Fabio Quartararo: “The winter break was quite long, but if I‘m honest I feel like I kept busy the whole time. 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. 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: “Last year was all about showing mental strength whilst working on improving my physical strength. It was not easy to come back after the surgery on my knee, but the work that I did last year will be beneficial for me at the start of this season.
We already have some data to work with, and I‘m already familiar with the bike and the team. I have always had a good feeling about the Yamaha, but this 2022 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP YZR-M1 is so smooth.
I can‘t wait to start riding the 2022 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP YZR-M1 bike now that my knee is in 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.”
The 2022 MotoGP World Championship Series gets started on March 6 at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. Be sure to bookmark our 2022 MotoGP World Championship Series Schedule.
Photos
