As Monster Energy slide into MotoGP, word is giants Red Bull want a slice of the action
THE MOVEMENT of the top riders is also key for the major sponsors. While Marlboro recently agreed a one-year extension with Ducati until the end of 2012, as reported exclusively from Mugello, both Repsol and Fiat run out of contract with Honda and Yamaha at the end of this year.
Repsol is thought likely to stay with Dani Pedrosa, wherever he might go; a powerful inducement to Honda to retain him.
Fiat’s sponsorship of Yamaha has more to do with Rossi than anything else, and is unlikely to be renewed should the Italian move to Ducati.
However there may be at least one other big sponsor ready to move in. Red Bull is a major backer of teams in every other top motor sport, with MotoGP the exception.
Should either Honda or Yamaha become available for sponsorship, sources close to the organisation suggest that the energy-drink giant would be more than willing to step in – especially with the presence of rival product Monster on the satellite Tech 3 Yamahas.
However, a spokesman for Red Bull said this weekend: “We have no plans to enter MotoGP.”
