P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Yamaha’s V4 bike MotoGP project is being developed more and more intensively but remains “not fast enough” – with the manufacturer reluctant to publicly commit to racing it in 2026
Yamaha’s V4 bike MotoGP project is being intensively developed, but it is still considered “not fast enough,” causing the manufacturer to hesitate in publicly committing to racing it in 2026. Despite this, Yamaha has been balancing the development of its current inline-four engined M1 bike with the V4 project, resulting in improved in-weekend performance, as seen with Fabio Quartararo’s successes. Quartararo and others advocate for a quicker transition to the V4 as the short-term future, even before the expected switch for the 850cc unit in 2027. The delay in a full switch to V4 development is primarily due to concerns over meeting competitive standards in time, as recent tests have shown the V4 lagging behind the current bike significantly. Test rider Fernandez acknowledges the need to focus more on the V4 but stresses the urgency to accelerate the development process to ensure readiness for next year’s races. The team’s goal is to speed up the V4’s progress during the upcoming months and have the bike prepared for the end of the season, addressing the need for improved lap times and power delivery from the engine.
