Yamaha Leaning Heavily Towards V4 Engine for 2026 MotoGP Season, According to Quartararo

Yamaha is poised to commit to a V4 engine configuration for its MotoGP bikes in the 2026 season, despite the engine’s current performance deficit, according to factory rider Fabio Quartararo. The 2021 World Champion has indicated a high degree of certainty that the Japanese manufacturer will abandon its traditional inline-four engine in favor of the V4, a move that would mark a significant shift in Yamaha’s MotoGP strategy.

While Quartararo and his teammate continue to campaign the current inline-four powered machines, Yamaha has been simultaneously developing the V4 engine. Test rider Augusto Fernandez has been tasked with the development and testing of the new engine, making wildcard race appearances at Misano in September 2023 and Sepang in November 2023. These appearances were intended to gather real-world data and assess the engine’s competitiveness in race conditions.

However, the results from these wildcard entries have been less than encouraging. The V4 prototype displayed a lack of significant improvement between the Misano and Sepang races, raising concerns about its potential to compete with the established V4 engines of Ducati, KTM, Aprilia, and Honda. Fernandez himself has expressed reservations about the engine’s current state, suggesting that it is still far from being race-ready.

Despite the evident challenges, Yamaha’s investment in the V4 project is substantial. The 2026 season represents the only opportunity to race the engine under the current regulations before the sweeping technical changes slated for 2027. This makes 2026 a crucial learning year for Yamaha as it aims to develop a competitive V4 package for the new regulations. The manufacturer’s commitment to the V4 engine is seen as a long-term strategy to realign itself with the dominant engine configuration in MotoGP.

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Quartararo’s comments, made ahead of the Portuguese Grand Prix, suggest that the decision to adopt the V4 for 2026 is virtually finalized. When asked about the likelihood of racing the V4 next season, Quartararo stated, "For me, what I understand, yes. For me, it’s 99% ‘yes’." This strong indication from Yamaha’s star rider underscores the significance of the strategic shift.

The decision to move to a V4 engine marks a departure from Yamaha’s long-standing tradition of using inline-four engines in MotoGP. The inline-four configuration has been a hallmark of Yamaha’s racing success, delivering numerous race wins and world championships over the years. However, the increasing dominance of V4 engines in recent seasons has prompted Yamaha to explore alternative engine configurations in order to remain competitive.

The V4 engine offers several potential advantages over the inline-four, including a more compact design, improved mass centralization, and greater flexibility in terms of power delivery. However, developing a competitive V4 engine is a complex and challenging undertaking, requiring significant investment in research and development.

Yamaha’s decision to pursue the V4 engine reflects a broader trend in MotoGP, where V4 engines have become the dominant engine configuration. Ducati, KTM, Aprilia, and Honda have all achieved considerable success with V4 engines, demonstrating their potential for delivering high levels of performance.

Quartararo also dismissed the possibility of Yamaha splitting its efforts between the V4 and inline-four engines in 2026, suggesting that the manufacturer is likely to commit fully to the V4. "No," he replied when asked if Yamaha might run both engine configurations. "I mean, the 99% is because maybe the V4 has less performance than the four inline. And maybe the riders ask for the four inline. But this is Yamaha’s decision. But what I understand is we race with the V4."

Despite the challenges associated with the V4 project, Quartararo refrained from criticizing Yamaha publicly. The Frenchman’s relationship with the factory has been under scrutiny in recent months, with Quartararo expressing his frustration with the lack of progress in improving the performance of the Yamaha bike.

Quartararo’s first test aboard the new V4 challenger is scheduled to take place immediately after the Valencia finale, a test that is considered crucial for the future of his relationship with Yamaha. The outcome of this test will likely play a significant role in determining Quartararo’s long-term commitment to the Japanese manufacturer.

When asked about his communication with test rider Augusto Fernandez and his analysis of Fernandez’s data, Quartararo offered a subtle critique of Yamaha’s approach. "Yes, I’ve talked to Augusto. Actually, at Sepang, I gave him one of my swing arms for him to test. Because they had some vibrations and they needed to see a bit how he was going with the swing arm. It was a bit better, but of course, as the results show, he’s still far. I think that more than [me looking at] his data, it’s the engineers that have to understand exactly what they need to do to close the gap."

Yamaha’s commitment to the V4 engine represents a significant gamble, but it is a gamble that the manufacturer believes is necessary in order to remain competitive in MotoGP. The success of the V4 project will depend on Yamaha’s ability to overcome the technical challenges and develop a competitive engine package that can challenge the dominance of Ducati, KTM, Aprilia, and Honda.

Fabio Quartararo’s future with Yamaha hinges significantly on the performance and development trajectory of this new V4 engine. His decision to stay with or leave the team beyond 2024 will be heavily influenced by the bike’s competitiveness and Yamaha’s commitment to providing him with a machine capable of challenging for race wins and championships.

The stakes are high for Yamaha. The transition to a V4 engine represents a major investment and a fundamental shift in their approach to MotoGP. The success of this endeavor will not only determine Yamaha’s competitiveness in the coming years but also influence their ability to attract and retain top talent like Quartararo. The 2026 season will be a critical year for Yamaha as they embark on this new chapter in their MotoGP journey.