Yamaha Drops V4 – But Can Their Riders Race It in 2025?

Yamaha has stunned the paddock by revealing a V4-powered version of its YZR-M1 at Misano. The prototype was shown publicly just before the San Marino GP, marking a dramatic departure from Yamaha’s long-running inline-four bike. Test rider Augusto Fernández will race this new V4 M1 as a wildcard entry this weekend, giving fans a first glimpse of Yamaha’s bold new prototype in real Grand Prix conditions.

However, Yamaha’s regular riders Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins will continue on the familiar inline-four M1 for now. They won’t switch to the V4 until after the San Marino event; they are only scheduled to try the new machine during the official one-day test at Misano. In practice, the team is using Fernández’s wildcard run purely to collect data under race stresses (fuel loads, slipstreaming, etc.), rather than to chase points for the factory squad.

The switch to a V4 layout is intended to boost top-end power and exploit future MotoGP rules (the class will shrink to 850cc in 2027). But a full mid-season switch isn’t immediately possible under current rules. Yamaha does have MotoGP concessions that allow more engine updates this year, but it cannot change the gearbox ratios or aero spec it declared before 2025 began. In effect, Quartararo and Rins are locked into gear ratios tuned for the old inline-four, which don’t match the new V4’s torque curve. Likewise, Yamaha has already used up its limited homologation slots on aero upgrades, so it legally cannot bolt the V4’s much narrower bodywork or new fairing onto the race bikes this year. In short, the engine itself is ready, but the surrounding package (gearbox and bodywork) can’t be updated in time under the regulations.

Technical director Massimo Bartolini put it bluntly: “The engine itself is not a problem, but… you have to homologate more,” referring to the missing aero and gearbox approvals. As a result, Yamaha is proceeding with a methodical test program. Managing Director Paolo Pavesio explained that Misano’s post-race test (and any wildcards) will “put the bike under the stress of a race weekend” to evaluate every component. The aim is to gather real-race telemetry and only then decide on a full V4 switch. In Pavesio’s words, the goal is “a more competitive machine on track next season,” with any final commitment coming after the 2025 program concludes.

It’s worth noting that all other MotoGP teams already race V4 engines – in fact, V4s have won every Grand Prix since 2023. V4 layouts have a shorter crankshaft and can accelerate out of corners faster, giving higher top speeds on the straights than Yamaha’s inline-four. The current inline M1 is very refined, but it has lagged behind rivals in outright acceleration. If Yamaha’s V4 prototype lives up to expectations, it could fully replace the inline engine for 2026 (before the 2027 engine downsizing). For now, though, the factory team will stay on the inline-four in races, using Fernández’s wildcard and private tests (Sepang, Valencia, etc.) to fine-tune the V4 under controlled conditions.

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