21 APRIL 2023 – Axalta (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, is the Official Sponsor for the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP^TM Team for the 2023 MotoGP^TM World Championship season. This is the 14^th consecutive year that Axalta has supported the Team in the premier class of motorcycle racing, which this year sees riders competing in 21 Grands Prix in 18 countries worldwide. And, for the first time, the season includes 12 point-scoring sprint races held the day before every Grand Prix. The season kicked off at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal on 24-26 March 2023 and finishes at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Spain, on 26 November 2023.

As part of the sponsorship deal, Axalta’s premium refinish brand, Cromax^® and its highly productive Ultra Performance Energy System, are used on the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team’s support trucks that transport the prestigious Yamaha YZR-M1 bikes during the season. The Cromax paint system is also used on the essential pit lane equipment including the mechanics’ toolboxes and workbenches.

Olaf Adamek, Axalta Refinish Brand Manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, says, “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team once again this season. We first started this strategic partnership in 2009 and a lot has happened during that time, for example, the riders are now using more powerful bikes with a maximum engine capacity of 1,000cc. What hasn’t changed is how much we value the partnership we have developed with them over the years. We are excited to see what this year brings; it will be undoubtedly just as thrilling as always.”

William Favero, Marketing and Communications Manager at Yamaha Motor Racing, says, "Over the past 14 years we have established a very strong strategic partnership with Axalta and its premium brand Cromax. We are extremely pleased we will have their continued support in what is expected to be an exciting racing season. The involvement of Cromax with the painting of our trucks and equipment is invaluable. We need a high-quality paint that is going to withstand the rigours of the season, as each truck travels about 22,000km every year, and Axalta more than delivers at every stage.”

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team has two truly talented riders in Fabio Quartararo (no. 20) and Franco Morbidelli (no 21). Both riders took part in the 2022 season and remain at the helm this year. In 2022, Quartararo finished in second place in the overall championship standings, and will be aiming to repeat his 2021 MotoGP^TM World Championship victory, when he became the first French rider to win a premier class championship.

The team’s innovation and originality during the history of the championship has also seen it reach great heights. The Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team holds the second highest number of Grand Prix victories in the premier class, with 125 wins.

For more information about Axalta Refinish and Cromax, please visit axalta.co.uk and www.cromax.com/gb. For more information about the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team, please visit www.yamahamotogp.com.