MotoGP - Rossi joins Yamaha for 2013 and 2014

This announcement is once again excellent news for Yamaha. In June we were able to sign Jorge Lorenzo for the 2013-14 campaign and now we are able to confirm Valentino Rossi for the next two years. In doing so we have been able to put together the strongest possible team to challenge for victories and to promote the Yamaha brand, said Lin Jarvis, MD Yamaha Motor Racing.

"We have run this super team' together in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and during that time we achieved the triple crown' titles with Rider, Manufacturer and Team World Championship victories for three consecutive years," he added.

Earlier in the day, Ducati had confirmed that Rossi will quit the team at the end of the 2012 MotoGP season. Rossi's place at Ducati will most probably be taken by Yamaha Tech 3 riders Cal Crutchlow or Andrea Dovizioso. With Ducati, Rossi wanted to become the first rider to ever win titles for three different manufacturers, however with the Borgo Panigale company, he could manage just two podiums.

Ducati's statement says Ducati wishes the Italian well for the new challenges that await him, and in the meantime, the team will continue to give its best effort in order to improve over the latter part of the season. Racing has always been in Ducati's DNA, and now more than ever, it is integral to the Borgo Panigale company's product development and image. Audi shares Ducati's strategic approach and agrees with its growing commitment to competition.