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Valencia, Spain – Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 MotoGP World Champion, has identified key areas requiring significant improvement in Yamaha’s new V4-powered M1 motorcycle following the official MotoGP test held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia this week. The feedback comes as Yamaha embarks on a critical development phase aimed at closing the performance gap with rival manufacturers in the premier class of motorcycle racing.
Quartararo’s assessment followed a day of intensive testing on Tuesday, where he completed 46 laps of the 4.005 km (2.489 miles) Ricardo Tormo circuit. His best lap time placed him 15th overall in the standings, 0.554 seconds behind Raul Fernandez, who topped the timesheets riding a 2025 Aprilia RS-GP for the Trackhouse Racing team. While the time sheets do not tell the entire story, Quartararo’s position underscored the challenges Yamaha faces in adapting to the new V4 engine configuration.
"We worked a lot on the bike’s set-up, trying to find the basis, because we don’t have it yet," Quartararo stated. "In a nutshell, we had a very good front end [with the inline-four bike]. Today, we don’t have that. That’s why I say we need to find the basic set-up. Then we know that power is a fairly clear issue."
The primary concerns raised by Quartararo revolve around two critical aspects of motorcycle performance: front-end stability and engine power. The previous Yamaha M1, characterized by its inline-four engine, was renowned for its exceptional front-end feel, allowing riders to confidently attack corners with precision and control. The new V4 configuration, however, has yet to replicate this crucial attribute.
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Front-end feel is paramount in MotoGP racing, providing riders with the necessary feedback to gauge grip levels and maintain optimal cornering speeds. A lack of front-end stability can lead to increased rider uncertainty, reduced confidence, and ultimately, slower lap times. The transition from the inline-four to the V4 engine has seemingly altered the bike’s weight distribution and chassis dynamics, necessitating extensive adjustments to restore the desired front-end feel.
In addition to the handling issues, Quartararo also highlighted a deficit in outright engine power. Yamaha is reportedly running the V4 engine in a conservative "safe mode" as they continue to refine its performance and reliability. While this approach is intended to mitigate the risk of mechanical failures during testing, it also limits the engine’s potential and hinders the bike’s acceleration and top speed capabilities.
The power delivery characteristics of a V4 engine differ significantly from those of an inline-four. V4 engines typically produce a broader powerband, offering strong torque throughout the rev range. However, harnessing this power effectively requires sophisticated engine management systems and precise throttle control. Yamaha’s engineers are working diligently to optimize the V4 engine’s performance characteristics while ensuring its durability under the extreme demands of MotoGP racing.
The Valencia test marked Quartararo’s second opportunity to evaluate the V4-powered M1, following an initial outing at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in September. After the Misano test, Quartararo expressed significant reservations about the new bike, stating that it felt "worse" than the outgoing inline-four version. His initial feedback painted a stark picture of the challenges Yamaha faced in developing a competitive V4 platform.
Despite the initial negativity, Quartararo adopted a more measured tone after the Valencia test, emphasizing the need to provide Yamaha’s engineers with clear and constructive feedback. "I’m more neutral. There’s no point in saying too much," he commented. "We need to give the engineers some direction on where to take things forward. For example, today, the front end was clearly something we were lacking."
The 2023 season has been a difficult one for Yamaha. The Japanese manufacturer has struggled to match the performance of its European rivals, particularly Ducati and Aprilia. Yamaha’s factory team, consisting of Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli, has faced an uphill battle to secure podium finishes and challenge for race wins. Quartararo’s sole victory of the season came at the Dutch TT in Assen, while Morbidelli has yet to secure a podium finish.
Yamaha’s struggles can be attributed to a combination of factors, including a lack of engine power, aerodynamic inefficiencies, and chassis limitations. The team has been working tirelessly to address these issues, but progress has been slower than anticipated. The introduction of the V4 engine represents a significant departure from Yamaha’s traditional inline-four design, and the transition has presented numerous engineering challenges.
The decision to switch to a V4 engine was driven by the need to remain competitive in the evolving landscape of MotoGP racing. Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM have all achieved considerable success with their V4-powered machines, demonstrating the inherent performance advantages of this engine configuration. Yamaha recognized that they needed to embrace the V4 concept to close the gap with their rivals.
The development of the V4 engine is a long-term project, and Yamaha is committed to investing the necessary resources to ensure its success. The team has assembled a dedicated team of engineers and technicians to focus on the V4 program, and they are working closely with Quartararo and Morbidelli to gather feedback and refine the bike’s performance.
Yamaha’s test rider, Augusto Fernandez, debuted a new frame at the Valencia Grand Prix last weekend, but Quartararo indicated that he had not seen any major upgrades on his side of the garage since the Misano test. "We were riding practically the same bike [as in Misano]. I’m not going to say it’s a step forward," he said.
Looking ahead, Quartararo expressed optimism that a private test scheduled for Wednesday at Valencia would provide Yamaha with an opportunity to address some of the outstanding issues affecting the V4 program. "Tomorrow will be important. We have new things to try, like aerodynamics. So it will be important to see how that turns out," he said.
Aerodynamic development plays a crucial role in modern MotoGP racing. Aerodynamic fairings, wings, and other devices are used to generate downforce, improve stability, and reduce drag. Yamaha is actively exploring new aerodynamic concepts to enhance the performance of the V4-powered M1.
On the eve of the Valencia GP, Yamaha solidified its plans to switch to the V4-spec M1, abandoning its inline-four motor. Quartararo had his old 2023 challenger at Valencia but completed just two laps on it before switching to the new version. His fastest time of the day was set on the V4 bike, perhaps indicating a glimmer of hope for the new configuration.
Yamaha may bring its outgoing MotoGP bike to February’s Sepang test for comparison, but Quartararo does not expect riders to spend much time running it. The focus remains firmly on developing and refining the V4 platform.
The road ahead for Yamaha and Quartararo is undoubtedly challenging. The team faces a steep learning curve as they adapt to the V4 engine configuration and strive to unlock its full potential. However, Yamaha’s commitment to innovation and its unwavering determination to succeed suggest that they will eventually overcome these obstacles and return to the forefront of MotoGP racing. The upcoming private test in Valencia represents an important step in this journey, providing Yamaha with a valuable opportunity to gather data, refine their development direction, and ultimately, close the performance gap with their rivals.
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