- MotoGP V4 in development for a year
- To debut at San Marino circuit
- Supposed to be an all-new machine
It’s been almost exactly a year since Yamaha confirmed that it was developing a V4 engine for MotoGP, and now it’s finally set to make its debut. The project, which officially began in September 2024, will be showcased during the San Marino race weekend at Misano from September 12-14. The bike will be piloted by Yamaha’s official MotoGP test rider, Augusto Fernández, who has been heavily involved in the project since joining Yamaha in January. A former Moto2 champion and current MotoGP rider, Fernández has been central to bringing the V4 closer to the track, though progress has been far from straightforward.
At one point last year, it seemed unlikely that the V4 would appear before the major MotoGP regulation changes scheduled for 2027. For riders like Fabio Quartararo, waiting that long would have been unacceptable. The conversation shifted quickly, from a 2027 debut to the possibility of seeing the V4 in competition before the summer break in 2025. For now, fans can expect to see at least some track action before the current season ends.
Developing a truly competitive MotoGP bike requires far more than dropping a new engine into an existing chassis. Yamaha has had to design a fresh frame and aerodynamic package specifically for the V4, effectively creating a new machine from the ground up. During private testing at Brno in July, the bike was still around two seconds per lap slower than the current M1—a huge gap by MotoGP standards, where fractions of a second often decide races. That means expectations for Misano should be measured, even if the debut itself is an important milestone.
For Yamaha, the urgency is clear. European manufacturers have been dominating, and catching up requires bold steps. Fast-tracking the V4 project also serves another purpose: to show Quartararo that the factory is committed to providing him with a bike capable of winning. The French rider is in the prime of his career, but his frustrations with the underperforming M1 have been no secret. He has openly voiced concerns that staying on the current machine risks wasting valuable years of his career without a realistic shot at a championship.
