Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Reveals 2021 Team

Marking Yamaha’s 60th anniversary of its first Grand Prix entry, The ENEOS-sponsored Team Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP is gearing up for the 2021 World Championship with a new rider lineup. #InItToWinIt is this year’s motto, and the team was eager to show off team veteran, Spaniard Maverick Viñales, and young Frenchman Fabio Quartararo.

Viñales has been with this Factory Yamaha team since 2017 and immediately took two back-to-back GP victories, placing third in the rider championship that year. In 2018, he finished fourth overall, winning Phillip Island despite a tough season. In 2019, he captured the Assen and Sepang victories, again taking third overall for the season. Of course, 2020 was challenging for everybody, and while Maverick was in championship contention until the final two races, Viñales ultimately finished sixth.

“2020 was a crazy year for us all,” said Viñales. “However, it’s now time to focus on what’s to come, and after a long winter break I’m ready to get back to work. Without a lot of testing opportunities besides Qatar, we’ll have to be on our A-game straight away.”

Although Quartararo is new to the Factory Yamaha team, he’s a household MotoGP name thanks to his success with Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing. During his 2019 debut, he scored seven podiums to end his rookie year in fifth place on a YZR-M1, earning him Rookie of the Year. 2020 was strong as well; he took his first premier class win at Jerez Round 1, repeating his performance the following weekend at the same course. Catalunya was his third victory and it seemed like he might win the Championship, but Fabio was unable to put his mark on the end of the season and finished eighth overall.

“I’m very excited to start a new season with a new team,” Quartararo said. “It’s exciting to work with different people and learn new things. I’m looking forward to finally riding my Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1! Seeing my number photoshopped onto the Factory Yamaha bike on social media is cool but there’s nothing like seeing it in real life. I can’t wait to start riding!”

The ENEOS-supported Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP YZR-M1 bike remains the same for 2021, with it and the riders’ leathers sporting a Monster Energy black/Yamaha Factory Racing blue gradient livery as well as our ENEOS logos. Newly confirmed Team Test rider, Cal Crutchlow, will join Viñales and Quartararo at Losail International Circuit for the March shakedown test. After a seven-year interval, it will see the highly experienced British rider return to the YZR-M1 as he helps to develop the bike’s competitiveness.

Stay tuned to ENEOS social media channels for Team Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP updates as the 2021 MotoGP season gets underway!