The Fiat Yamaha team had this update on their Twitter page: “The team will change title sponsor and therefore it won't be "Fiat Yamaha Team" anymore.” The team’s official website also confirms the agreement is over.
Fiat began its partnership with the Yamaha MotoGP team in 2007, becoming the first non-tobacco title sponsor of the four-stroke MotoGP era. At that time, an Italian car manufacturer sponsoring a Japanese motorcycle team seemed a bit awkward, but Fiat explained MotoGP allowed it to access a younger car-buying audience than F1.
Fiat has therefore left a vacancy spot, but for the moment, Yamaha does not have a title sponsor. Air Asia, Telefonica, and a few other companies have been rumored to take Fiat's spot, but the sponsorship position has not been officially filled out yet. It is likely that a corporate Yamaha livery could be used by Lorenzo and new team-mate Ben Spies in 2011.
Also, it is yet unclear if Fiat will begin sponsoring another team, or if they will turn their attention to Rossi’s new team, Ducati.
The Fiat-sponsored Yamaha team has won both the Rider's and the Team's World Championship every year since 2008. Being the fact that it is such a successful team, Yamaha would have to secure a title sponsor of value, so that MotoGP image would not be affected.
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