Yamaha's return to Brno this weekend will not only be a story of results, but also a detailed examination of its technological dilemmas. While Fabio Quartararo continues to champion the potential of the current M1, Augusto Fernandez, test rider and wildcard for this Grand Prix, confirms that all of Iwata's efforts are focused on the future V4 engine... even if it is still far from ready.
In a speech marked by lucidity – even polite disagreement with his technical direction – fabio quartararo stressed that he was not entirely convinced by the shift towards the V4. " All the energy put into the V4… I don't agree 100% ", says the Nice native on GPone, believing that the current M1 can still be improved. A statement that reflects both a form of attachment to the bike he has known since 2019… and a legitimate concern: the V4 is not yet a guarantee of performance.
The test driver Yamaha and wild card Augusto Fernandez will line up this weekend without ambitions for results, but with a clear mission: to help Kidneys et Quarterly to solve the M1's persistent problems. Absent since the 2024 Aragon race, he returns to MotoGP in different conditions: Brno, a circuit he knows in Moto2, but on which he has never raced in the premier class.
Yamaha: a promising V4… but still under construction
It is mainly the development of the V4 that is fueling the discussions. Augusto tested it during the last private runs and makes no secret of the fact: "The engine is promising, but there is still a lot of work to be done. It is not yet ready for racing."
The engine has not yet been released at full power, with Japanese engineers proceeding cautiously. They want to understand things before opening the floodgates. That's their method.,” he explains, referring to a system that he respects… but which could slow down the project if the 2026 season is targeted.
What is clearly emerging is an unfinished and perhaps poorly timed transition. The current M1 is at the end of its lifecycle, but still the only machine available for Quarterly et Kidneys.
Le V4, it still lacks a finished chassis, released power and kilometers of testing. Yamaha already seems to be looking towards 2026, but the 2025 results could seriously suffer.
The situation at Yamaha reflects a kind of internal strategic divide. On one side, Quartararo wants to save the M1 and focus on the present. On the other, Fernandez embodies a vision focused on an uncertain, but potentially revolutionary, future.
In this context, the weekend of Brno could be much more than just a return of MotoGP to the Czech Republic: it could be the scene of a turning point in the modern history of Yamaha .
