Marlboro and Yamaha part company

Yamaha has announced the end of their sponsorship by cigarette brand Marlboro. The deal will cease at the end of 2002, after three years with Marlboro as the team’s main sponsor.

It doesn’t look like it will affect Yamaha’s racing plans for next year. Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing B.V. said: ” Yamaha has a strong on-going commitment to success in MotoGP. I cannot discuss our definitive plans for 2003 at this point, but we are in discussions with various sponsors and with both Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa about next year. ”