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Former Suzuki test rider Sylvain Guintoli explains why MotoGP has gone V4-powered, but the advantages may not be guaranteed in the 850cc era.
Starting next season, MotoGP will have an all-V4 grid for the first time in the four-stroke era that began in 2002. Throughout the 24 seasons post the phase-out of 500cc two-strokes, the competition between V and Inline engines has been relatively equal. V-powered machines have secured 14 riders’ titles, with Honda’s V5 and Honda/Ducati V4s dominating, while Inline engines, like Yamaha and Suzuki, have clinched ten championships. Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo and Suzuki’s Joan Mir claimed recent titles, but Yamaha, Ducati, Aprilia, KTM, and Honda will all switch to V4 engines for 2026. The V4 shift is attributed to the aero advantages and horsepower of V4 engines, allowing riders to utilize more power efficiently, especially as tire grip decreases during a race.
