Quartararo's Disappointment with Yamaha's New V4 MotoGP Bike
Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 MotoGP world champion, has voiced his discontent with Yamaha's new V4-powered M1, stating he feels it's a step backward from the previous model. His candid remarks came after the morning testing session in Misano, where he finished a disappointing 17th, more than a second behind Alex Marquez of Gresini.
This Misano test marked Quartararo's second opportunity to evaluate Yamaha's V4 prototype, which is being developed for the 2026 season. While a private test in Barcelona a week prior offered some glimmers of positivity, the Misano outing left him without any discernible strong points on the new machine. Quartararo articulated his struggle, noting, \"At the moment, it's worse. In Barcelona, we felt some difference, that for me was in a better way. Here, we haven't found it yet.\" He further emphasized the absence of improvement in critical areas, despite assurances from his team that potential gains were still to be realized. Yamaha's decision to shift from its inline four-cylinder engine to a V4 was a strategic move, prompted by the belief that the former had reached its performance limits. However, Quartararo remains unconvinced that this engine change alone will be the panacea for Yamaha's ongoing struggles in MotoGP. He observed that similar problems persisted in both the Barcelona and Misano tests, despite the differing track characteristics. While Barcelona's smoother layout offered a slight advantage, Misano's more complex turns exposed the new bike's aggressive nature and remaining developmental challenges. Echoing the sentiments of Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez, who had previously pointed out front-end issues with the V4 M1 after its debut at the San Marino Grand Prix, Quartararo clarified that the primary concern was not merely front-end feel but rather the bike's turning capabilities. He acknowledged that the inline-four engine's turning was its sole strong point, lamenting that the V4 currently falls short even in that aspect, offering no significant positives. The focus now turns to identifying and addressing these fundamental issues.
The path forward for Yamaha and Quartararo appears challenging, demanding a thorough re-evaluation of the V4 project. The team faces the critical task of not only refining the new engine but also integrating it seamlessly into a chassis that delivers competitive performance and rider confidence. Success in this endeavor will be crucial for Yamaha to reclaim its dominant position in MotoGP and for Quartararo to once again compete at the pinnacle of the sport, showcasing the resilience and innovative spirit essential for overcoming such formidable technical hurdles.