Fabio Quartararo has revealed the challenges Yamaha faces with its new V4 MotoGP project, acknowledging it could take several months or even the entire 2026 season to turn things around.
Yamaha made a bold move over the winter by switching from an inline-four to a V4 engine, but faced performance and reliability issues during pre-season testing.
Quartararo expressed frustration with the project’s progress, as all four Yamaha riders finished a second off the pace at the recent Buriram test.
The gap to the front was substantial, but Quartararo’s main concern was that the new V4-powered M1 was slower than its predecessor during long runs.
Yamaha had to address a safety issue with its V4 engine at Sepang, prompting restrictions on engine mileage at Buriram and further testing adjustments will be needed throughout the year to improve competitiveness.
Quartararo anticipates a challenging season ahead, emphasizing the need for significant improvements in power, turning, and grip performance with the new V4 engine.
