New Delhi, 22nd May, 2017: An intense race at Le Mans in France saw Maverick Vinales (25) emerge victorious as Yamaha is crowned with the 500th win in the history of motorsports. With the French GP rising to an incredible climax with Yamaha GP teammates Valentino Rossi (46) and Maverick Vinales (25) locked head-to-head on the final lap, Yamaha announced the extraordinary 500th win in the Grand Prix.

Yamaha is proud to have reached the 500th Grand Prix milestone at the Le Mans Bugatti Grand Prix race circuit in France. This achievement has been reached through solid partnership and teamwork within the 'Yamaha family'. Yamaha secured victories in the 125cc (47 wins), 250cc (165 wins), 350cc (63 wins), 500cc (120 wins), and MotoGP class (105 wins), adding up to 500 Grand Prix wins in total, according to FIM statistics (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme - the global governing body of motorcycle racing).

Out of all Yamaha riders, current MotoGP class racer Valentino Rossi is the biggest achiever. His love story with the YZR-M1 has been going strong for many years and has resulted in 55 wins to date. Teammate Vinales has only been competing as part of the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team for five races, but has established an impressive 60% victory rate on the Yamaha, thanks to his wins in Qatar, Argentina and France.

Mr Masaki Asano, Managing Director, Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt. Ltd. said, "Yamaha is proud to announce the 500th win in the Grand Prix. Yamaha had established the racing setup for talented riders who can flourish on the world stage of motorcycle racing. In the days to come, Yamaha will continue to explore racing stints with renewed motivation along with acquiring new skills and experiences. Yamaha cordially thanks every rider, technician, partner and organizer, especially to the Yamaha Factory Racing team for making it to the glory today."

Mr Roy Kurian, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt. Ltd, said, "The onset of victory kindles with the racing technology which is Yamaha's DNA. Along the racing terrain of last 56 years, Yamaha has dedicated every moment to develop its world-class racing technology inch by inch so that customers could feel the essence of motorsports at the hearts of their own two wheelers. In India, Yamaha's R Series is introduced by effectively studying the feedback of the circuit to build the machines for the Indian roads. With a racing DNA waged at every innovation, Yamaha will continue to rev hearts in India in the days to come."