P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Augusto Fernandez says he has “missed the Yamaha V4 so much” as he returns for a second MotoGP race with the prototype at Sepang.
Augusto Fernandez will make his second MotoGP appearance on the new Yamaha V4 prototype at the Malaysian MotoGP this weekend, marking his seventh event of the season.
Despite facing technical issues, Fernandez showed a competitive pace during practice at Misano and managed to score points by finishing 14th in the San Marino Grand Prix.
Feedback on the V4 from Yamaha race riders has been mixed, with Fabio Quartararo expressing concerns about lacking progress in crucial areas.
Teammate Alex Rins and Pramac’s Jack Miller, however, had a more positive outlook following their time on the V4 prototype compared to the Inline4 bike.
Fernandez is looking forward to the weekend and aims to continue improving the V4 prototype in preparation for next season.
Yamaha is yet to confirm if the V4 will replace the Inline machine for next year, as they strive to make the new bike more competitive by addressing rear grip issues.
