Yamaha is shaking up MotoGP with a new weapon: its V4 engine, tested exclusively on Wednesday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. MotoGP legend Andrea Dovizioso and test rider Augusto Fernandez had the honor of letting this technological gem roar for the first time. Maio Meregalli calls this test a "functionality test," but the excitement is palpable!
Yamaha has officially launched testing of its highly anticipated motorbike V4 during a private test held on Wednesday at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit. Two riders were on the bike: Augusto Fernandez, test driver of the brand, and Andrea Dovizioso, that fabio quartararo pushes to integrate more into the development program.
The Japanese brand, until now faithful to its four-cylinder in-line engine, is finally exploring the possibility of V4This test, described as a simple “functionality test”, aimed to verify the first basic parameters of the prototype, without any immediate performance objective.
« We are not yet at the stage of judging performance. ", said Massimo Meregalli, team manager of Yamaha . " Factory riders will only test this bike when we judge it to be sufficiently developed to deliver usable sensations. »
Maio Meregalli: “ We are still exploring settings that are impossible to test during a race weekend."
At the same time, Yamaha continues to work on the evolution of its current engine block. The test department focuses on two projects: the inline engine and the new V4 ", confirmed Meregalli.
The private test in Barcelona follows the official tests MotoGP of Aragon, where Yamaha et Honda have, thanks to the rules of concessions, additional days to progress. A valuable lever in their attempt to catch up Ducati.
Meregalli also noted a tangible improvement in the overall level of Yamaha compared to the previous year Aragon. " In 2024, we finished 39 seconds behind. This year, it was 19. And the gap over one lap went from 1,3 seconds to less than four tenths »
He also welcomed the work done by Quarterly : " Despite some difficulties on Friday, Fabio made it into Q2 on Saturday and started from the third row. He set a very good time. »
Adjustments have been made to the engine, although they remain minor. We're still exploring settings that are impossible to test during a race weekend. The program was more intense than expected. "Adds Meregalli. " Our method is simple: if the pilot feels no inconvenience, we continue in that direction. »
With this first test of the V4, Yamaha is finally entering an era that many have been waiting for. But to hope to return to the top, it will take more than a new engine: method, time... and audacity.
- Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP (@YamahaMotoGP) June 11, 2025
