“AMG to cooperate with Ducati” reads the headline from Mercedes-Benz, making it sound as though they’d been arguing. But no, strange as it seems, the German performance brand and Italian motorcycle manufacturer are aiming to ‘work together closely in future’.

Before we get too carried away with thoughts of the products they might jointly develop, the first results of the intended ‘cooperation’ are, somewhat disappointingly, merely marketing and sponsorship. AMG will support the Ducati MotoGP team as an Official Car Partner from 2011, for example; and, at selected AMG events, guests will be able to take test rides on Ducatis.

Still, who knows what the future might hold? It could end up being far more exciting than a simple event-branding exercise.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: AMG - Ducati