MotoGP
Yamaha's development of V4 engine for MotoGP bike in advanced state
Yamaha is the only MotoGP manufacturer still running inline four-cylinder engines
Oriol Puigdemont
Edited: Sep 11, 2024, 8:33 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Yamaha's development of a new V4 engine for its MotoGP bike is in an advanced state, Motorsport.com has learned.
Yamaha has not publicly acknowledged that it is working on a change to its engine concept, which currently consists of an inline four-cylinder unit.
The only references in this regard have been the very vague answers given by team riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins to questions from journalists.
"Yamaha must take into account all the engine concepts," said the French rider recently, without revealing any more details.
However, a company source confirmed to Motorsport.com last weekend at Misano that the project was not only on track, but moving forward at a quick pace.
Yamaha hired Luca Marmorini, a highly experienced racing engineer who previously worked in Formula 1 with Ferrari and Toyota, as an external consultant a couple of years ago.
After his time in single-seaters, the Italian was instrumental in optimising the performance and increasing the reliability of Aprilia's power unit in MotoGP.
After signing with Yamaha in 2022, Marmorini had already warned internally of the need to consider moving away from the inline four-cylinder nature of the engine to the V4 configuration.
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
The Japanese manufacturer, which in the 500cc era of the 1980s did run a V4 variant, is the only one to retain the inline-four profile.
Motorsport.com understands that Yamaha wants to put a 1000cc V4 on track before the mandatory 850cc engine comes into play in 2027.
Since the start of the year, thanks to the flexibility offered by the concession system, both Quartararo and Rins have been testing different engine specifications, although none have delivered the expected results.
With the arrival of Max Bartolini, Gigi Dall'Igna's former right-hand man at Ducati, as technical director at the beginning of the year, Yamaha is in the midst of a transformation phase that aims to recover the competitiveness of a bike that was champion in 2021 with Quartararo.
In 2025, Yamaha will once again have a satellite team after the agreement signed with Pramac earlier this year.
In addition, the marque is also hoping to secure the services of Augusto Fernandez as a test rider, given the physical problems affecting current tester Cal Crutchlow.
Andrea Dovizioso, who recently replaced the Briton in a private test at Misano, could also join the project to help restore the competitiveness of the M1.
Read Also:
MotoGPBagnaia leads Ducati 1-2-3 in Misano test, Acosta fourth on KTM
MotoGPMotoGP to introduce radio communication with riders in 2025
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Bagnaia leads Ducati 1-2-3 in Misano test, Acosta fourth on KTM
Next article FIM set to enforce MotoGP engine freeze until 2027
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Oriol Puigdemont
How MotoGP teams and riders are organising themselves for their arrival in Qatar
MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
7 h
How MotoGP teams and riders are organising themselves for their arrival in Qatar
Marc Marquez not celebrating MotoGP title yet: "I don't want to fall into the trap"
MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
9 h
Marc Marquez not celebrating MotoGP title yet: "I don't want to fall into the trap"
More from
Yamaha Factory Racing
MotoGP responds to Yamaha’s Qatar GP withdrawal
MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
MotoGP responds to Yamaha’s Qatar GP withdrawal
MotoGP riders step up pressure in final bid to avoid Qatar Grand Prix
MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
MotoGP riders step up pressure in final bid to avoid Qatar Grand Prix
Why tensions between MotoGP and riders have escalated amid Qatar row
MotoGP
MotoGP
Qatar GP
Why tensions between MotoGP and riders have escalated amid Qatar row
Latest news
Toto Wolff: Two sponsors left Mercedes after promoting Kimi Antonelli into F1
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
3 min
Toto Wolff: Two sponsors left Mercedes after promoting Kimi Antonelli into F1
Winners and losers from the penultimate round of 2026 NASCAR Cup season at Martinsville
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
11 min
Winners and losers from the penultimate round of 2026 NASCAR Cup season at Martinsville
Cadillac to investigate high-speed Mexico GP failure that led to angry Valtteri Bottas reaction
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
16 min
Cadillac to investigate high-speed Mexico GP failure that led to angry Valtteri Bottas reaction
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe