Yamaha’s new V4 MotoGP engine missed its planned track debut in Jerez but is now set for the 2025 shakedown test in Sepang.
Yamaha’s eagerly anticipated V4 MotoGP engine remains under wraps for now after it fell short of its initial on-track debut at a private test at Jerez last week. Alex Rins confirmed that the team intended to test the new engine in Jerez but was forced to postpone due to the engine’s unprepared state.
“The idea was to test it at the KTM test in Jerez, but in the end, it wasn’t ready and couldn’t be tested,” the Spaniard explained. The KTM test, held over two days with Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro on track and future KTM rider Maverick Viñales observing, had been earmarked by Yamaha as an opportunity to evaluate its V4 engine in a competitive environment.
Rumors suggested Andrea Dovizioso was lined up to handle testing duties, but Yamaha ultimately didn’t get a V4 prototype ready for Jerez. Yamaha, the only MotoGP manufacturer still running inline four-cylinder engines, has been pushing with the development of the new unit in an attempt to catch up with the frontrunners of MotoGP.
Despite Fabio Quartararo’s 2021 world title, Yamaha’s inline-four engine has increasingly shown its limitations since then.
To close that gap to the front, Yamaha has been reinforced with a large number of engineers and technicians, as well as hiring F1 engine consultant Luca Marmorini, who already worked with Aprilia, and who advised the change in the engine concept.
Yamaha faces a pivotal decision for MotoGP's future: stick with its trusted inline-4 engine or switch to a V4. Technical Director Max Bartolini discusses the challenges, potential benefits, and the need to decide by 2025 for the 2027 regulation changes.
After missing its original track debut, the V4 engine is expected to hit the track for the first time during the official MotoGP shakedown test at Sepang from January 31 to February 2, 2025.
Thanks to Yamaha’s concession status, all four riders – factory stars Alex Rins and Fabio Quartararo, and Pramac-Yamaha newcomers Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller – will be eligible to participate in the shakedown.
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