Drive M7 Aspar Team Unveils Line-Up At Sepang

The covers come off of the new silver and green Honda RCV-1000Rs of Hayden and Aoyama

The Drive M7 Aspar Team officially unveiled its 2014 team and colors at a special ceremony in Malaysia, home of its new title sponsor. With the second session of MotoGP preseason testing set to begin on Wednesday, the team's new riders, Nicky Hayden and Hiroshi Aoyama, pulled the covers to reveal the team's Honda RCV-1000R machines adorned with new silver and fluorescent green colors.

With an American and Japanese rider, both former World Champions, and a new title sponsor, the team aims to branch out further into the international market. The deal between the team and its new sponsor is for three years, signifying a long-term vision that both parties are sure will prove to be a great success.

“We are broadening our horizons, continuing our growth and establishing ourselves firmly on the international plane,” said Aspar’s Jorge Martínez. “It is very important for us to have reached an agreement with Drive M7, a huge company that forms part of the Mutiara Motors Group and that has a global vision. In terms of our sporting project we have switched manufacturers from Aprilia to Honda and we have signed two World Champions in the shape of Nicky Hayden and Hiroshi Aoyama to represent us in MotoGP. We are all very excited about this new project and we face a big challenge over the next three years.”

Nicky Hayden’s quote to the press: “It is a new season and a new challenge for me but I am healthy and very excited. I have been very impressed with Mr Aspar and his professionalism - it’s clear he really wants results and is behind all his guys. I think it’s great we have a new sponsor and one of such a high level as Drive M7. Not only is it good for us, I think it’s good for all of MotoGP to see new sponsors coming from different parts of the world and this can be great for the future. The challenge of competing as an open bike and the new rules will be interesting to see how it all plays out and if it really will become the future of MotoGP.”

Hiroshi Aoyama said, “I am really happy to be joining the Drive M7 Aspar Team. It's a very professional team with a highly motivated group of staff who work hard every day to achieve the best possible results. Hopefully this new season can be an enjoyable one for every single person connected to this project. We have a new challenge this season in the shape of the Open category, which is the future of MotoGP. 2014 will be an interesting and important season for us. I have a great team, a great bike and direct support from Honda, so I am sure it will be a good year.”