On the eve of the Portimão Grand Prix, Fabio Quartararo revealed the prevailing mindset at Yamaha. The Frenchman, as clear-sighted and direct as ever, knows that the 2025 season is merely a transitional step towards a colossal technological gamble: the abandonment of the legendary inline four-cylinder engine in favor of a V4. And he harbors few illusions: this change will determine Yamaha's future—and undoubtedly his own.
« If I understand correctly, we will be using V4 in 2026. For me, that's 99% certain. In short, Quarterly put an end to the speculation. Yamaha has made its decision: the inline four-cylinder, a symbol of a glorious era, is living its last laps.
The tuning fork manufacturer long refused to follow the path taken by Ducati, Honda, KTM ou Apriliaall of them switched to V4 engines — a more compact, more powerful, and more rigid architecture. But in a MotoGP world dominated by V engines, Yamaha can no longer afford the luxury of remaining faithful to its technical DNA.
Quarterly He makes no secret of it: the 2025 M1 will have nothing left to offer. I think the engineers have focused more on the 2026 bike this year. I hope it was for a good reason : that of having a truly high-performance motorcycle by 2026 ».
Clear, Yamaha partially sacrifices the 2025 season to invest in its future engine. An understandable but risky strategy: the competition — in particular Honda with Albesian — continued to progress, while Yamaha experienced a noticeable stagnation from mid-season 2024 onwards.
At the Sepang tests, the prototype V4 did not produce the hoped-for shock: vibrations, unstable behavior, power still limited. Even Augusto Fernandez, test driver and Fabio's teammate, encountered engine feel issues.
« I spoke with Augusto in Sepang; he was feeling vibrations on his motorcycleSo I lent him one of my swingarm components to test.It was a little better, but there's still a long way to go. »
A revealing scene: QuarterlyAn official pilot, attempting to help develop a prototype he hasn't yet flown—proof that the V4 project is far from complete. The switch to V4 is more than a technical choice: it's a matter of survival.
Fabio Quartararo, between faith and fatigue : « Maybe I'll miss the old motorcycle… who knows? »
The concept of the inline four-cylinder engine, once synonymous with smoothness and stability, is now proving obsolete in a MotoGP dominated by aerodynamics and explosive accelerations.
But the risk is immense: changing the engine philosophy means rewriting the entire behavior of the motorcycle — chassis, electronics, mass distribution, engine braking, everything will have to be redefined. Ducati It took him nearly ten years to master his V4; Yoh well wants to achieve this in two steps.
Still loyal to the team that crowned him world champion in 2021, Quarterly maintains a patience tinged with weariness. Maybe I'll miss the old one… who knows? »
A double-edged sword: the Frenchman remains curious, but aware that this project could be his last big gamble with Yamaha The Nice native hopes for a motorcycle that matches his talent; otherwise, the V4 could become the engine of his downfall.
Yamaha will abandon the inline four-cylinder engine in favor of a V4 by 99% in 2026. fabio quartararo admits that the 2025 season is being sacrificed in favor of developing the new engine. Initial tests of the V4 engine still reveal strong vibrations and a lack of power. Quarterly remains loyal, but his optimism is based on the promise of a better future, not on current performance.
The V4 is the last card of Yamaha If it fails, it won't just be an architectural style that disappears — it might be the end of an era. Quarterly in tune.
