MotoGP
Yamaha: "Unrealistic" to think about V4 engine switch in 2025
The V4 engine that Yamaha has been working on for a year will be introduced only when it is able to offer an advantage over the inline four-cylinder unit, according to the director of the Japanese brand
Oriol Puigdemont
Published: Feb 23, 2025, 10:30 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Yamaha has conceded that introducing a new V4 engine on its bike before the end of the 2025 MotoGP season is “unrealistic”.
Since Suzuki’s exit after 2012, Yamaha has been the only manufacturer on the grid that continues to use an inline four-cylinder engine in the championship.
Although Yamaha has won six titles with this engine configuration since the advent of the MotoGP era in 2002, the emergence of Ducati has led the competition to experiment with routes that they did not consider in the past.
Yamaha finally confirmed at the end of last year that it was in an advanced state with the development of a V4 motor, following an initial report by Motorsport.com.
The Japanese brand had previously not provided a timeline about its possible introduction, only stating that “you might see it on track in the middle of 2025” if everything goes according to plan.
However, new Yamaha MotoGP chief Paolo Pavesio has now strongly indicated that the new V4 engine will not be ready for racing until at least 2026, the final season of the current 1000cc ruleset.
"Our goal in the short to medium term is to finish races in the top five. And at the same time, we are developing the V4 project. It's an entire bike, not just an engine," said Pavesio.
Paolo Pavesio, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing
Photo by: Yamaha
"We have to get results today, while working for tomorrow. When the bike with the V4 engine is better than the one we use now, if it ever is, then we will introduce it.
"It is unrealistic to think about making the switch to V4 in 2025. When we give that bike to the official riders, we have to be convinced that it is at a good level.”
The new V4 engine was expected to hit the track the first time at Jerez in December, with Andrea Dovizioso being entrusted with the opportunity to test the bike.
However, the test was cancelled, and the power unit was packed once again. It now appears the new engine won’t make its track debut until April.
Yamaha has ramped up its investment in MotoGP in recent months. In addition to signing Pramac as a satellite team with full factory support, a group within its technical department is working on the development of the V4 engine.
While Ducati, Aprilia and KTM will have their engines frozen by regulation in 2025 and ‘26, Yamaha – along with Honda – benefits from concessions and is free to develop it without any restrictions.
Read Also:
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 The long-standing records Marquez and Bagnaia can break in MotoGP 2025
Next article Rating the prospects of MotoGP’s 2025 rookie crop
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Oriol Puigdemont
Why tensions between MotoGP and riders have escalated amid Qatar row
MotoGP
MotoGP
Qatar GP
13 h
Why tensions between MotoGP and riders have escalated amid Qatar row
Alex Marquez considering surgery next week, could miss Qatar GP
MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
13 h
Alex Marquez considering surgery next week, could miss Qatar GP
More from
Yamaha Factory Racing
Fabio Quartararo 19th and angry: “I’ve not struggled so much at Sepang in a long time”
MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
Fabio Quartararo 19th and angry: “I’ve not struggled so much at Sepang in a long time”
MotoGP riders resigned to racing in Qatar despite safety concerns
MotoGP
MotoGP
Qatar GP
MotoGP riders resigned to racing in Qatar despite safety concerns
MotoGP to fine riders €5,000 for failing to attend promotional events
MotoGP
MotoGP
Indonesian GP
MotoGP to fine riders €5,000 for failing to attend promotional events
Latest news
Max Verstappen clears the air with Liam Lawson, but stays tight-lipped on Racing Bulls F1 seat
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
9 min
Max Verstappen clears the air with Liam Lawson, but stays tight-lipped on Racing Bulls F1 seat
"I'll bombard myself with melatonin": Kimi Antonelli admits to driving "tense" and "tired" on cusp of F1 title
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
27 min
"I'll bombard myself with melatonin": Kimi Antonelli admits to driving "tense" and "tired" on cusp of F1 title
Ryo Hirakawa could have "easily" made Q2 in F1 Mexico GP without late traffic
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
Ryo Hirakawa could have "easily" made Q2 in F1 Mexico GP without late traffic
Carson Kvapil wins Martinsville as Justin Allgaier takes NASCAR O’Reilly points lead
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Martinsville II
1 h
Carson Kvapil wins Martinsville as Justin Allgaier takes NASCAR O’Reilly points lead
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