Yamaha's MotoGP V4 Project Faces Setbacks, Remains Distant from Competitiveness, Test Rider Fernandez Concedes

Yamaha’s ambitious effort to develop a competitive V4-powered MotoGP bike continues to face significant challenges, with test rider Augusto Fernandez offering a candid assessment of the project’s current state. Speaking after the Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit, Fernandez indicated that substantial progress is still required before the machine can contend with the frontrunners of the premier motorcycle racing series.

The V4 prototype made its initial public appearance at the San Marino Grand Prix last month, raising hopes for a swift turnaround in Yamaha’s fortunes. The Japanese manufacturer has struggled in recent seasons to match the performance of European rivals such as Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM, all of whom utilize V4 engine configurations. Yamaha’s traditional inline-four engine, while historically successful, has seemingly reached its developmental ceiling in the face of increasingly sophisticated competition.

However, Fernandez’s feedback following the Sepang race suggests that the transition to a V4 platform is proving more difficult than initially anticipated. The Malaysian Grand Prix marked the second race appearance for the prototype, but according to Fernandez, the team has not made significant strides in closing the performance gap since its Misano debut.

"It was a difficult weekend for us," Fernandez acknowledged, highlighting the lack of substantial upgrades implemented in the weeks following the San Marino race. "We started the weekend worse than how we finished in Misano, so we felt like we had to start again in discovering what we needed to do to find the base in the end. The only positive thing is that with all the work we’ve done, we are now at the same point as how we finished the race in Misano."

Related News :

The on-track results in Malaysia reflected Fernandez’s concerns. The Spanish rider qualified last on the grid, a significant 2.381 seconds adrift of the pole position time set by Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia. In the race itself, Fernandez managed to finish ahead of only Miguel Oliveira, who had suffered a crash and subsequently remounted his Aprilia machine.

Adding to the challenges, Fernandez revealed that the V4 engine is currently operating in a "safe mode," limiting its power output. This measure is likely intended to protect the engine during its early development stages and prevent mechanical failures. However, the restricted power delivery undoubtedly hampers the bike’s performance and makes it difficult to accurately assess its true potential.

When questioned about the likelihood of the bike achieving competitiveness by the start of the next season, scheduled to begin in Thailand, Fernandez initially expressed skepticism. "Not really, not really," he stated, before tempering his response. He indicated that he would reserve final judgment until after the final race appearance of the year at Valencia, which will be followed by a crucial test session.

"I [will tell you] in Valencia. Now we are far [from the pace] but if we go in the right direction after all the data that we have analysed… in Valencia we will confirm and after that I will say if we will be ready [for Thailand] or not," Fernandez explained.

Despite the current setbacks, Fernandez emphasized the importance of identifying the bike’s fundamental issues and establishing a clear direction for future development. He pointed to the consistency of the problems encountered at both Misano and Sepang as a potential positive, suggesting that the team is gaining a better understanding of the areas requiring improvement.

"After analysing all the data during the weekend, we know that we have the same problem as in Misano. We can say that this [is the only] positive, because we have a clear direction to follow at least for the next test, for the next race, in Valencia: to try to improve. But we need the engineers now to work on new things and follow this direction," Fernandez stated.

Fernandez elaborated on the specific issues plaguing the V4 prototype, highlighting the engine’s performance and the bike’s overall balance as key areas of concern. "One of the topics is the engine. I would like to have – as they say that we have more power – something more similar to what it’s going to be," he said, hinting at his desire to experience the engine’s full potential.

"And then we need a base; we need to keep working on what we saw here and in Misano. We need the balance of the bike. We are unbalanced; we’re still unbalanced," Fernandez added, suggesting that the bike’s chassis and weight distribution require further refinement.

With the Valencia test scheduled to take place in three weeks, Yamaha faces a race against time to make significant progress. The team is expected to continue private testing of the V4 prototype in the intervening period, focusing on addressing the identified weaknesses and optimizing the bike’s performance.

"The only thing is that we don’t have time and we want to be ready for the next race," Fernandez concluded. "We need to accelerate the development and the process a little bit, but the good thing is that there is something clear, some direction to follow now. We need to keep working hard."

The pressure is mounting on Yamaha to deliver a competitive V4 machine. The manufacturer’s struggles in recent years have seen it fall behind its rivals in terms of both performance and championship standings. The introduction of the V4 engine represents a significant strategic shift for Yamaha, and its success is crucial to the company’s future ambitions in MotoGP.

Yamaha’s last MotoGP World Championship title came in 2021 with Fabio Quartararo, and since then, the team has struggled to consistently challenge for race wins and podium finishes. The dominance of European manufacturers, particularly Ducati, has highlighted the need for Yamaha to innovate and adapt to the evolving demands of the sport.

The development of a V4 engine is a complex and challenging undertaking, requiring significant investment in research, engineering, and testing. Yamaha’s rivals have had a head start in this area, and the Japanese manufacturer is now playing catch-up.

The Valencia test will be a critical opportunity for Yamaha to assess the progress made with the V4 prototype and to gather valuable data for future development. The feedback from Fernandez and other test riders will be crucial in guiding the engineering team’s efforts.

The MotoGP landscape is fiercely competitive, with manufacturers constantly pushing the boundaries of technology and performance. Yamaha faces a formidable challenge in closing the gap to its rivals, but the company’s commitment to the V4 project suggests a determination to return to the forefront of the sport.

The coming weeks and months will be pivotal in determining the success of Yamaha’s V4 project. The Valencia test will provide a crucial indication of the progress made, and the team’s ability to address the identified weaknesses will be critical to its future competitiveness. The pressure is on for Yamaha to deliver a machine capable of challenging for race wins and championships.