Mercedes-Benz AMG is to sponsor the Ducati Moto GP team in 2011 as part of a new partnership between the two marques.

The German sports car manufacturer will act as the official car partner for Ducati Moto GP in a deal likely to be worth around US$2 million. In addition to branding rights, the agreement will allow participants at selected AMG events to test ride Ducati motorcycles, with those at Ducati events also able to try out AMG's high performance cars.Gabriele del Torchio, president and chief executive of Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., said: "We are especially proud to have AMG as one of our sponsors for the Ducati MotoGP Team. I am also very pleased that our joint marketing activities are well under way. In AMG we have found a partner who perfectly reflects our brand values of high performance, motorsport, excitement and our sense of unmistakable style and design."Mercedes-AMG chief executive Ola Källenius added: "I am very pleased that we are able to announce our strategic cooperation with Ducati today. AMG and Ducati ideally complement each other, as both companies share the same values: racing as the driving passion, and high performance plus exclusivity as the central brand messages of both AMG and Ducati. This long-term cooperation will help us to jointly access new customer groups.".

Source: SportsPro