Quartararo Wary After Yamaha V4 MotoGP Test

Fabio Quartararo offered cautious feedback on Yamaha’s new V4 MotoGP prototype at Misano, noting limited progress as Yamaha balances front-end stability with the power gains needed to challenge Ducati and Aprilia.

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Yamaha’s long-awaited V4 MotoGP prototype finally hit the track at Misano, but Fabio Quartararo’s first public verdict was far from glowing. After sampling the machine in post-race testing, the 2021 world champion indicated that the radical new engine configuration has yet to deliver the improvements Yamaha desperately needs to close the gap to Ducati.

Early Feedback Signals Limited Progress

Quartararo completed more than 30 laps during the Monday test but reported that the V4 offered sensations similar to the current inline-four M1 while failing to address the bike’s long-standing weaknesses. He felt the prototype lacked the front-end confidence that remains Yamaha’s strongest trait and did not yet provide significant gains in power delivery or rear grip. The Misano circuit’s tight, technical layout also highlighted an aggressive character that made the bike more difficult to manage compared to the encouraging signs he experienced in earlier Barcelona testing.

Despite spending his entire MotoGP career on inline-four machinery, Quartararo had no difficulty adapting to the V4’s power characteristics. His concern lay entirely with performance potential, which he felt had not yet shown clear positives in the areas Yamaha most needs to improve.

Mixed Views From Other Riders

Test rider Augusto Fernandez, who raced the V4 during the San Marino Grand Prix, considered the prototype capable of flashes of competitiveness but inconsistent in its balance between front and rear. He observed that the bike appeared to trade some of Yamaha’s traditional corner-entry stability for stronger drive on exit.

Jack Miller, who also joined the test program, emerged more optimistic. He described the V4 as a promising new platform that improved with every run and simply required more development time and set-up refinement. Miller acknowledged that Yamaha faces the same time pressure as every factory in MotoGP but believed the project is headed in the right direction.

A Long Development Path Ahead

The Misano outing marked a crucial milestone in Yamaha’s transition from its trademark inline-four concept to a V4 engine aimed at matching the straight-line speed of rivals Ducati and Aprilia. The initial laps confirmed both the potential and the scale of the challenge: engineers must retain Yamaha’s renowned front-end stability while unlocking the acceleration and rear traction that the V4 design promises.

With more tests scheduled before the 2026 season, Yamaha now faces the delicate task of refining a completely new platform under the scrutiny of its star rider and the wider MotoGP paddock. The Misano test provided valuable data but also underscored how much work remains before the V4 can become a genuine race-winning weapon.