After months of speculation, Yamaha is set to shake up the MotoGP landscape by introducing a new V4 engine. A strategic choice that marks a break with the Japanese brand's traditional inline four-cylinder architecture.
One of the most anticipated developments in MotoGP is the move from Yamaha from inline engines to V4 engines. This season marks a major turning point for the Japanese brand, which, after months of work on a new engine architecture, is preparing to test its V4 with a view to competition from 2025.
The draft Yamaha V4 is now at an advanced stage, and the brand is preparing to introduce this new engine on the circuits. The first official tests are scheduled to begin in December 2024, with an ambitious objective: start racing with this V4 engine from the 2025 season.
According to motor passion The trials will probably begin at Sepang, a circuit chosen for this first contact, after the MotoGP had contested the penultimate race of the season on this same track. For the occasion, Yamaha has appointed two trusted pilots: Cal Crutchlow, internal test pilot, and Andrea Dovizioso, who, although not officially a tester, has been collaborating frequently with the team in recent times. These tests will allow the engine to be fine-tuned before its entry into official competition.
Yamaha aims to introduce its new V4 engine in racing by the middle of next season
If this scenario were to be confirmed, the arrival of the V4 would raise questions about the role ofAugusto Fernandez within the project Yamaha Initially announced as a test driver, the Spaniard could see his role evolve or be forced to wait a little longer before joining the official team.
This shift to V4 is seen as a strategic change for Yamaha , which has long suffered from aerodynamic and weight distribution issues with its inline engine. While they have shown progress in recent races, the current setup has limitations, particularly in component placement and aerodynamic optimization. The V4 engine, on the other hand, could offer better performance in these areas.
The project is led by Luca Marmorini, a respected engineer in the industry, and represents a risk but also a great opportunity for Yamaha . If successful, this V4 engine could make Yamaha a more serious competitor in the championship, creating a challenge for competition giants like Ducati, who are currently dominating the competition with their V4 machines.
With the introduction of this V4 engine, MotoGP could well turn into a championship where V4s have a monopoly, and if Yamaha finds the recipe for success, it could become an unexpected rival for Ducati in the coming seasons. But for now, everything depends on the upcoming tests December and the ability to Yamaha to take advantage of the possibilities offered by this new engine architecture.
