Yamaha took a decisive step into the future today, officially unveiling its long-awaited V4-powered YZR-M1 prototype at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. The announcement, timed just before the San Marino Grand Prix, represents not only a technical milestone but also a cultural shift inside Yamaha — one that embraces a bolder, more aggressive approach to MotoGP development.
The new machine, still in its early stages, will make its competitive debut this weekend in the hands of test rider Augusto Fernández, who enters the GP as a wild card. Meanwhile, Yamaha’s full-time factory riders Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins are scheduled to sample the bike publicly for the first time during Monday’s official post-race test.
A Bold Reveal Mid-Season
Unveiling an all-new prototype while the 2025 MotoGP season is still in progress is unusual for Yamaha. Traditionally conservative in how it introduces new machinery, the manufacturer is signaling a willingness to accelerate development timelines. That urgency reflects Yamaha’s determination to return to the front of the grid after several lean years.
The presentation took place inside Yamaha’s hospitality unit at Misano, with company executives, engineers, and test riders all present to share insights. Takahiro Sumi, General Manager of the Motor Sports Development Division, Paolo Pavesio, Yamaha Motor Racing’s Managing Director, Project Leader Kazuhiro Masuda, and Technical Director Max Bartolini were all on hand to outline the importance of this shift.
The all-blue corporate livery on Fernández’s bike underscored the official nature of the moment: this wasn’t a backroom experiment, but a serious new direction in Yamaha’s MotoGP story.
Why the V4 Matters
For decades, Yamaha has stayed loyal to the inline-four configuration, even as rivals like Honda, Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia found success with V4s. The inline-four has its strengths — smoothness, predictable handling, and a linear power curve — but the modern MotoGP landscape has increasingly demanded the brute acceleration and compact design advantages of the V4.
By unveiling a V4-powered M1, Yamaha acknowledges that the time has come to diversify its technical philosophy. This is not a complete abandonment of tradition, but rather an expansion of possibilities. Yamaha is determined to test every avenue in its bid to return to winning ways.
A Full Team Effort
Sumi was candid about the scale of the challenge. Developing a brand-new engine architecture while simultaneously campaigning a current-season bike is no small task. “It can only be achieved when the whole company pulls together,” he noted, stressing that the V4 program represents a unified project bridging Yamaha’s Japanese and European operations.
His remarks also highlighted that the initiative is evidence-based: Yamaha will only commit long-term if the V4 platform proves itself more competitive than the current inline-four. But with MotoGP moving toward an 850cc formula and new tire suppliers arriving in 2027, now is the moment to experiment.
Pavesio echoed that sentiment, describing the project as “Plan V” — a clear reference to its transformational scope. He credited the recruitment of Andrea Dovizioso as Rider Performance Advisor and Augusto Fernández as Test Rider as crucial steps in making the plan viable.
Dovizioso’s decades of MotoGP experience give Yamaha a steady hand to guide development, while Fernández provides the speed and sharpness of a rider still in his prime. Together, they form what Yamaha believes is its most balanced and productive testing team in years.
Stress Testing at Misano
This weekend’s wild card entry for Fernández is not about podiums or points. Instead, it’s a live test under the most demanding conditions possible: a full MotoGP race weekend. Engineers will study performance data, stress-test assumptions, and gather rider feedback against the backdrop of real competition.
Project Leader Masuda explained that this is part of a structured, step-by-step process that began with dyno testing, continued with private track outings, and now enters a critical public phase. He confirmed that further tests are already planned at Sepang and Valencia, depending on how Misano and the post-race IRTA session unfold.
Technical Director Bartolini added that the focus is on validating the fundamentals: power delivery, chassis balance, and aerodynamics as an integrated package. Results are not expected immediately, but the data collected will guide the direction of Yamaha’s 2026 program.
The Riders’ Perspective
For Andrea Dovizioso, the V4 has already shown promise. “From the very first runs I felt potential,” he said, noting that both his and Fernández’s feedback have aligned closely — an encouraging sign that the bike’s behavior is clear and consistent.
Fernández, meanwhile, is relishing the chance to make history as the first to race Yamaha’s new prototype. “It’s an honor,” he said, “to be part of such an important project. The goal is to learn where we stand in a real MotoGP race environment.”
He also confirmed his long-term commitment, having signed with Yamaha as Official Test Rider through 2027. That stability should give Yamaha the continuity it has sometimes lacked in recent years.
Looking Toward 2026
For now, Yamaha insists the weekend is about gathering knowledge, not chasing results. Still, the symbolic weight of debuting the bike in Misano, a circuit with deep ties to MotoGP history and Yamaha’s own legacy, cannot be understated.
The V4 M1 may not yet be race-ready, but its very existence marks a turning point. Yamaha is no longer content to wait and see; it is taking bold risks to re-establish itself among MotoGP’s elite.
Whether the V4 becomes Yamaha’s weapon of choice or remains a side project will depend on results in the months ahead. But one thing is clear: the factory has entered a new era, and the journey is already underway.
Want to see exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the V4-powered prototype development? Check out Yamaha’s ‘The Blue Shift’ YouTube Series latest episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75dAiMJ_Z_0&authuser=0
Copyright ©2025 Yamaha Motor Racing Srl
