Yamaha Conducts Private Valencia Test for New V4 MotoGP Engine

Yamaha Tests V4 Engine in Europe as Potential Replacement for Inline-4 MotoGP Powerplant.

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Yamaha has taken another key step in its MotoGP development programme, privately testing its new V4 engine at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia earlier this week, according to a report by Autosport. The two-day test, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, marked the first European track outing for the V4 engine after its initial shakedown in Sepang earlier this year.

The early prototype tested in Sepang was still in a raw developmental stage, with Yamaha engineers acknowledging at the time that significant work remained before the engine could be considered a competitive alternative to its current inline-four configuration.

Currently, Yamaha is the only manufacturer on the MotoGP grid still running an inline four-cylinder engine. Mounting pressure from its factory riders, including 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo, has prompted Yamaha to explore alternative layouts to remain competitive in an increasingly V4-dominated championship.

While the V4 project is progressing, Yamaha MotoGP technical director Massimo Bartolini has made it clear that the team will only make the switch if the new engine offers a measurable performance advantage over the current M1.

“Next year’s bike is going to have the V4 engine if the V4 engine with the V4 bike is faster than the actual [Inline] bike,” Bartolini explained in an interview with MotoGP.com.

“We have started to test the V4 engine. Then testing it with the official riders depends on how the development goes. If the bike is ready, [we’ll do it] as soon as possible.

“Developing an engine and bike requires time. Still we are in the early, early development. At the moment, we still don’t have the possibility to compare correctly the performance.

“But as soon as possible, we will make a comparison and we will keep going on the fastest of the two bikes.”

Despite the development shift, the current M1 continues to show flashes of competitiveness. Quartararo secured a front-row start in qualifying last weekend in Qatar and followed up with strong fifth and seventh place finishes in the sprint and main races.

The Valencia test underlines Yamaha’s commitment to evolving its MotoGP project, with the potential engine layout change aimed at reestablishing the team as consistent front-runners. For now, the inline-four remains Yamaha’s weapon of choice, but the groundwork for a possible future with a V4 is clearly being laid.