Jack Miller may have only finished 20th in the Valencia tests, but the Australian leaves with a clear conviction: the new Yamaha V4 has potential, even if there's still a long way to go to make it a MotoGP weapon. And his statements, a mix of realism, optimism, and sharp technical analysis, set the tone.
These tests, primarily dedicated to development, were not intended to produce lap times. However, Fabio Quartararo found himself just 0,5 seconds off the best time, while Toprak, Rins et Miller they finished the session with harder tires and different programs.
Satisfied without being euphoric, Miller He sums up his day like this: It was a decent first day with the V4. Of course, there's still work to be done. But we're on the right track! »
He was quick to praise the performance of Quarterly :
« Fabio has already achieved a very good time with the machineWe weren't far off, but there are still points to improve. This mainly concerns my feel for the bike and the settings. »
According to him, the goal was not to shine but to understand:
« This is a very recent projectOn Tuesday, the main objective was to understand everything and adapt the motorcycle to our needs. »
Several Yamaha riders — Augusto Fernandez leading — pointed a lack of feeling at the front, a surprising characteristic when you consider the historical strength of the M1.
Miller understands this frustration:
« Coming from the M1, which offers excellent front-wheel feel, it naturally feels like a step backward. (…) It lacks feel at the frontIt's clear that this needs to be addressed. But we're working on it. »
A clear-sighted speech, which confirms that the transition to a V4 architecture will not happen without drawbacks.
With three different manufacturers on his CV (Honda, Ducati, KTM), Miller is probably the best-placed driver to make a comparison.
And his verdict is fascinating: This motorcycle carries Yamaha's DNA. The sound is reminiscent of Hondas and KTMs. Furthermore, I have a similar feeling regarding the mass of the flywheel to the Ducati. But the torque curve is different. »
In one sentence, he sums up what many were waiting for: Yamaha enters the world of V4, but without denying its identity.
WOW 😅😱 @jackmilleraus #ValenciaTest ️ pic.twitter.com/8CynLZSFGK
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2025
Jack Miller: “ Electronics still needs a lot of work. We still have to deal with the same problems. »
Miller then points to a known problem:
« The electronics still need a lot of work. We're still facing the same issues we had last year when I first got my hands on the M1, particularly acceleration and progression. »
But he adds a caveat: As far as traction control is concerned, we're not in a bad position.The real obstacle? A motorcycle deemed approximately 12 kg too heavy, a major handicap in modern MotoGP.
When asked to assess the historic decision of Yamaha to abandon its inline four-cylinder engine, Miller takes on an almost professorial tone.
« This is another step in the process; if there were a golden ticket, all manufacturers would buy it."He warns: expectations must be measured."
And yet, the Australian sees this change as an opportunity to break the glass ceiling reached by the M1:
« We feel like we've reached a ceiling with the motorcycle we had, and believe me, we tried everything »
Le V4 It is not a guarantee, but it offers room for improvement:
« If we can take the next step and to finish at the same level as the motorcycle with which we finished the seasonWe will have the impression that the ceiling will be much higher »
With four Yamaha V4 simultaneously on track at ValenciaNew data is pouring in. The paddock MotoGP understood it: the transition from Yamaha to V4 is the central plot of 2026.
Et Jacks Miller, with its piloting expertise and multi-source experience, will be one of the key interpreters of this transition.
So far? The verdict is clear: promising, improvable, exciting. Buckle up: the revolution Yamaha is just beginning.
MotoGPValencia Test: times
