Yamaha’s new V4 MotoGP engine ready to begin track testing

Yamaha is set to begin track testing of a new V4 engine for its MotoGP bikes, although initial testing at Jerez last week was delayed.

Yamaha, the only MotoGP manufacturer still running inline four-cylinder engines, is pushing development of the new unit in an attempt to catch up with its rivals after several difficult seasons.

Its engineers at Iwata have been working since mid-2024 on a prototype of a new V4 engine, an alternative to the inline four-cylinder engine that has powered the YZR M1 throughout the MotoGP era, and which has given the team very good results . Especially with the arrival of 2004 valentino rossiAnd in the 2010s, with three titles for Jorge Lorenzo.

Although Fabio Quartararo Another crown was added for the Japanese company in 2021, the performance of Yamaha’s machinery has taken it out of the fight for victory and without options to fight with Ducati – the manufacturer currently dominates the series.

To bridge that gap, Yamaha has been reinforced with a large number of engineers and technicians, some of them signed directly from the Bologna-based manufacturer, as well as hiring F1 engine consultant Luca Marmorini, who Having already worked with Aprilia, and who advised on changes to the engine concept.

Earlier this year, outgoing team boss Lynn Jarvis confirmed the engine was in development, although he denied it would be on track before mid-2025.

However, work gained momentum and it was rumored that Yamaha would conduct a private test at Sepang this month to get the new engine on track. Andrea Dovizioso Ready to move new machinery.

yamaha factory rider alex rinse but was revealed motorsport networkThe ‘Por Orejas’ podcast states that the new V4 engine was due to be launched last week.

“The idea was to test it at the KTM test in Jerez, but in the end, it was not ready and could not be tested,” the Spaniard revealed during the interview.

According to Rins, Yamaha planned to use the two track days to test the M1 with the V4 engine, but the unit was not ready.

Yamaha said it did not plan to conduct any further testing for the rest of the year. Thus, the V4 engine is likely to make its debut at the shakedown for testers and amateurs, which is scheduled to take place at Sepang from January 31 to February 2.

As one team with all concessions, Yamaha factory riders Rins and Quartararo, and new satellite team Pramac–Yamaha miguel olivera And jack millerCan take part in the shakedown, as well as the official test of the year at the same circuit on 5–7 February.