Zahid plans talks on continued Petronas MotoGP sponsorship
MotoGP executive director Carmelo Ezpeleta has expressed hope that Petronas will maintain its involvement in the championship.
Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi plans to discuss keeping Petronas as MotoGP’s main sponsor with the company’s president and Group chief executive officer, Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz.
Speaking to reporters on 30 October, Ahmad Zahid said he had met MotoGP executive director Carmelo Ezpeleta, who offered Petronas the chance to continue its sponsorship. According to Ahmad Zahid, Ezpeleta wanted Malaysia to remain closely associated with both Petronas and MotoGP.
Ahmad Zahid said Ezpeleta had told him this would be Petronas’ last year as an organiser. He also relayed Ezpeleta’s observation that national oil companies or local businesses sponsor the championship in other countries.
While acknowledging that the costs could be substantial, Ahmad Zahid said alternative arrangements could be explored to retain Petronas as the main organiser and sponsor. He was speaking after a MotoGP discussion session organised by AZH Club that drew more than 3,000 motorsports fans.
