In the Valencia paddock, nightfall gives way to an electric atmosphere. Yamaha is fielding its V4 prototype for the third time with test rider Augusto Fernandez, the machine meant to symbolize the Japanese manufacturer's MotoGP renaissance. Yet, behind the veil of technological promises, a persistent reality is clear: the bike is still suffering. And still. The same weaknesses, the same symptoms, like a broken record playing on repeat.
At the handlebars, Augusto Fernandez He unwittingly embodies this fight against the unfinished. The Spaniard finishes the day in 20th position, just over a second behind the leader. perfect time of Peter Acosta. A kick The tone is set from the third round onwards: today, the V4 gave no respite.
Yamaha brought a new chassis, which is supposed to represent a step forward since the last appearance of the V4 in Malaysia. Fernandez acknowledges that there is some improvement — but barely.
« It's slightly better… No negative points, but that's not the solutionThis doesn't solve the problem. It's slightly better, but it's not the solution. »
That says it all. A microscopic, almost imperceptible improvement, which isn't enough to erase the motorcycle's eternal weakness: its front end. The rider details, without mincing words, a brutal but clear-sighted observation.
« A small difference, quite simplyApart from the chassis and everything else, we worked well today, unlike in Sepang where we encountered many problems. »
In Valencia, he feels he has a better grasp of what he has in his hands:
« FP1 went well, and I was also in the rhythm. I had a better feel for all aspects »
But lucidity returns immediately: the shortcomings remain the same… and paradoxically, that’s good news.
« Of course, the problems are the sameincluding on this circuit, which is positive because it means we are addressing similar problems on different circuits »
Augusto Fernandez: “ We are still searching for the foundation. We have no starting point. »
Valencia, short and winding, exposes the same weaknesses as Sepang, long and fast. The diagnosis is therefore clear: This is a fundamental problem, not a contextual one..
The pilot recounts his day with disarming candor: Today, it was very criticalI crashed on the third lap of free practice. The conditions were critical, but we're suffering even more »
The V4 dives, slides, and collapses at the front. Nothing is under control yet. The team will try again tomorrow to push the limits of the new chassis.
« We will see tomorrow if we can make progress in this area and confirm the direction we already believe to be the right one. »
The most worrying observation comes next, almost like a warning:
« We are still searching for the foundation. We have no starting point. Tomorrow, Everything will change down to the centimeter. »
This is not a motorcycle in development. It's an unstable prototype, without a backbone, without a reference setup. Fernandez He himself says: this V4 is still a rough assembly, a patchwork machine.
« That's the problem with this motorcycle: it's a patchwork job. You fix one problem, and bam! another one pops up. »
And the final sentence is the harshest: Until we have another chassis and more room to modify it, it will remain this way.This is the current situation. »
In Valencia, Yamaha wanted to validate a first milestone of its V4 project. But reality is harsher than expected: the front remains unpredictable, the motorcycle lacks structure, and each solution opens a new technical dilemma.
Augusto Fernandez Pilot, analyze, crash, climb back up, try again. The V4, meanwhile, is still searching for its soul. Time is ticking. The V4 revolution continues. But for now… it's a battlefield.
MotoGPValencia Day 1: times
