P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Livio Suppo calls Yamaha’s 2026 V4 MotoGP switch “courageous” but warns only time will tell if the “risky” strategy succeeds.
Livio Suppo believes that only time will reveal whether Yamaha’s bold decision to transition to a V4 engine in MotoGP will prove successful. Yamaha, which had been using an inline engine since the inception of the MotoGP era, initiated a V4 project last season. The manufacturer has now fully embraced the V4 for 2026, anticipating the forthcoming 850cc regulations that favor a narrower V configuration due to reduced fairing width. Despite this shift, the 1000cc V4 engine is currently trailing behind the previous inline concept in terms of competitiveness and necessitates concurrent development with a new 850cc/Pirelli bike. Leading rider Fabio Quartararo has displayed visible frustration and is already rumored to be moving to Honda for the 2027 season. While Quartararo achieved a fourth-place qualifying position in Brazil and finished sixth in the Sprint, the V4-powered bike is yet to secure a position higher than 14th in a Grand Prix race. Yamaha currently occupies the last position in the constructors’ standings, with 19 fewer points compared to the same period in the previous season. Quartararo, Yamaha’s primary rider, is ranked 17th in the riders’ standings. Suppo critiqued Yamaha’s challenging path, cautioning that attempting to develop both the 1000cc V4 and the 850cc bike simultaneously poses the risk of subpar performance in both. Despite the present challenges, Suppo acknowledged Yamaha’s courageous strategy, commending their commitment to refining the bike for future success. Ultimately, Suppo concludes that time will be the ultimate judge of whether Yamaha made the right choice in their strategic direction.
