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October 19, 2026
The all-new Yamaha V4 MotoGP bike is set to make its much awaited race debut at the upcoming San Marino GP in Misano, the team has confirmed.
The huge development marks a stark departure from Yamaha’s long-standing tradition of running inline four-cylinder engines in its MotoGP machines, embracing the contemporary trend seen among its rivals.
The V4-powered M1 is scheduled to make its first appearance in competitive racing from September 12 to 14, 2025 with Yamaha’s talented test rider Augusto Fernandez trusted to pilot the prototype in his wildcard entry for the race weekend.
Yamaha Motor Racing’s Managing Director Paolo Pavesio expressed enthusiasm and commitment towards this transition, declaring it a clear indication of Yamaha’s dedication to remaining at the forefront of MotoGP technology and performance innovation.
“Finally, I have some important news to share,” he told MotoGP. “For Misano, we are targeting to see Augusto Fernandez racing for the very first time our new M1 prototype with a V4 engine.
“This is a concrete sign of our commitment to the future. While we continue to push with determination to get the best out of every race weekend.
“Thanks to everyone for continuing to support us and we are looking forward to seeing you [next time] in Barcelona.”
The decision to introduce the V4 engine at Misano rather than the initially speculated Motegi round underlines the urgency and seriousness with which Yamaha is pursuing advancements to regain competitive edge after recent challenges with its current inline four-cylinder model.
The development and testing phase of the Yamaha V4 MotoGP bike has been underway since last year, with the prototype having undergone private trials at various circuits including the Ricardo Tormo Circuit and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
These tests are aimed to refine the new engine configuration in compliance with the existing MotoGP regulations, which are set to evolve post-2026.
Yamaha’s choice to race the V4 at Misano represents a crucial next step in validating the engine’s performance capabilities and reliability under race conditions, which is indispensable for the final decision on its full transition in the 2026 MotoGP season.
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Augmenting the V4 race debut, Yamaha’s lead factory rider Fabio Quartararo is expected to get his first ride on the new M1 prototype during the official post-race test the day after the San Marino GP.
Despite having exclusively raced with inline four machines in his MotoGP career, Quartararo’s growing support for the V4 engine stems from his candid acknowledgment of the limitations faced with the current M1 model.
“To be honest for me it’s one of the most important,” he said. “You see how tough it is to overtake now in MotoGP, if you don’t have the engine to prepare an overtake, you are not able to do it.
“Even if the bike is fast, I need a bike that is able to fight during a race. If I don’t have the top power, it will not be a fighting bike.”
His willingness to embrace the V4 platform demonstrates the internal resolve within Yamaha’s ranks to embrace change and find new solutions to close the performance gap with rival manufacturers, which have commonly adopted V4 engines for their enhanced power and handling characteristics.
He added: “I think that if I try it and I’m less than half a second off my lap time, I think it’s a good step, because it will be the first time that I will use it.”
Yamaha’s move to a V4 engine configuration also benefits from the involvement of Jack Miller who was confirmed to remain with Pramac Yamaha for 2026 MotoGP and brings valuable experience from riding V4 machines at both KTM and Ducati.
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