As Yamaha prepares to kick off its 2025 MotoGP campaign with its Sepang shakedown, the focus is not on the highly anticipated V4 engine that has generated significant buzz. Instead, Yamaha’s riders are concentrating on getting familiar with the current M1 bike, with their attention directed toward maximizing performance on their established inline-four engine for the upcoming season.
Yamaha’s Shift Toward V4 Engine Development
Last year, Yamaha surprised the paddock by announcing its exploration into the development of a V4 engine, a departure from its long-standing commitment to the inline-four configuration. This shift is a result of the new technical direction brought by Max Bartolini, Yamaha’s technical director, who is eager to bring fresh thinking to the brand’s engineering approach.
Although the move to a V4 engine is considered a significant step for the brand, no specific timeline has been set for when the V4 will debut on the MotoGP grid in 2025. As of now, Yamaha’s race riders remain focused on the ongoing development of the M1 bike and are cautious about speaking in detail on the V4 plans.
Riders Stay Focused on Current Project
Miguel Oliveira, who joined Yamaha after switching from Pramac Racing, emphasized his priority is to learn the current M1 bike and work on its development, rather than getting distracted by the V4 engine.
“My goal is to know this bike, to know this M1, and to work on the current project,” Oliveira said. “I don’t think it would be smart to focus on something that doesn’t exist yet. I want to be fully focused on this bike.”
Similarly, Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 MotoGP world champion, expressed that V4 engine testing would primarily fall under the responsibility of Yamaha’s test riders, rather than himself. He also pointed out that Honda, with its own V4 engine, has faced challenges similar to Yamaha’s, underscoring the need for patience and careful assessment of current issues before jumping to conclusions.
“I think a lot of expectations have been put on the V4, but I have no expectations myself,” Quartararo said. “Look at Honda; they have a V4 and are struggling the same as us. So, I don’t think this is really our main issue. We need to focus on the problems we have now and then see if we can make a step forward.”
Quartararo confirmed that Yamaha’s test riders would take the lead in V4 testing and development, with the team having several dedicated test riders for the task.
No Engine Freeze for Yamaha in 2025
As a concession manufacturer, Yamaha enjoys certain privileges, including the ability to freely conduct testing with its race riders, unlike other teams subject to the official engine freeze regulations. This means that Yamaha could introduce its V4 engine in 2025 when it is fully ready, without the constraints of the engine freeze affecting its progress.
Sepang Shakedown and Preparations for 2025
Yamaha’s race riders are scheduled to take to the track at Sepang starting Saturday, marking the beginning of their winter preparations for the 2025 season. The team’s focus will remain on fine-tuning the M1 bike for the upcoming campaign, with test riders expected to handle the V4 testing once it is ready. Yamaha’s Sepang testing will be a key part of the brand’s strategic approach to 2025, as it balances the evolution of its current bike with the future promise of the V4 engine.
