Yamaha unveil new WSB livery

The Yamaha World Superbike squad of American Ben Spies and Brit Tom Sykes have unveiled its all-new livery for their 2009 R1.

After being sponsored by Spanish financial giant Santander and running a predominantly black and red livery for the previous three years the all new R1 has reverted back to it’s cooperate blue.

Yamaha Europe have also taken ownership of the team for 2009 although it continues to be run by the proven Italian squad based next door to Yamaha’s MotoGP project on the outskirts of the Monza circuit.

The team has also undergone a name change for 2009 from Yamaha Motor Italia to ‘The Yamaha World Superbike Team.’

The predominantly blue livery has helped make this years bike look even closer to Valentino Rossi’ Yamaha M1 in MotoGP. It also matches Yamaha’s official World Supersport entry.

The team’s new sponsors BM Group, Yamalube, Parts Europe and Novation will join existing partners FIMER, Akrapovic, Meccanocar, Fabbri, NGK, Rapid Inside , Volvo, Domino, DID, Magneti Marelli, Beta and BMC.

The Yamaha World Superbike Team will debut their new livery out on track on 21st and 22nd February at Phillip Island in what will be their final test before the opening race of the championship at the Australian circuit on 1 March.

What do you think of the new paint scheme? Does it look as good as last year? Is it too similar to Rossi’s M1?