Fabio Quartararo Ready to Test Yamaha’s New V4 – Even If It’s Slower
Fabio Quartararo has never been one to mince his words, and his latest comments underline just how eager he is for Yamaha to take a decisive step forward in MotoGP. The 2021 world champion has voiced his readiness to test Yamaha’s new V4 prototype, even if it isn’t immediately faster than the current inline-four M1. For Quartararo, the urgency for change outweighs the risk of short-term setbacks, particularly after the team’s continued struggles in recent seasons.
The Frenchman’s stance comes amid Yamaha’s cautious approach to the V4 project, with engineers in Iwata aiming for perfection before rolling the machine out on track. However, Quartararo believes time is of the essence. “Even if the V4 is a little slower, as long as it’s within half a second of the current bike, I want to ride it,” he admitted. “We need to understand it, we need to work, and we need to change something.”
The Debate Between Inline-Four and V4
Yamaha has been the last holdout in MotoGP when it comes to engine configuration. While rivals such as Ducati, Honda, KTM, and Aprilia have embraced V4 technology, Yamaha has persisted with the inline-four, a design celebrated for its smoothness and corner speed but criticized for lacking the straight-line performance and explosive acceleration that modern MotoGP demands.
The gap became especially evident in the past two seasons, as Ducati’s dominance with its Desmosedici made life miserable for Yamaha riders. Quartararo has often found himself over-revving just to stay competitive, while Ducati riders breeze past with ease on straights.
For Yamaha, shifting to a V4 is not just a technological evolution but also a symbolic departure from its DNA. Still, Quartararo has been insistent that the only way forward is to embrace the change, even if it means enduring teething problems in the short term.
Rins’ Assessment of the Prototype
Yamaha’s V4 project has already had its share of whispers in the paddock. Alex Rins, Quartararo’s teammate, hinted earlier this year that the prototype was about two seconds slower than the current M1 during its earliest stages of development. While this may sound discouraging, Quartararo views it differently. To him, what matters is that the foundation is there and that Yamaha can start working on bridging the gap sooner rather than later.
“I don’t expect the V4 to be perfect from the first test,” Quartararo explained. “What I want is to start working with it now. If we wait until 2026, we lose another year, and I’m not interested in wasting time.”
Pressure on Yamaha’s Project Timeline
The timing of the V4’s debut has been a subject of heated debate within Yamaha. Some insiders believe the bike may only be ready for 2026, alongside the new MotoGP regulations, while others suggest the factory could accelerate development to allow limited testing in 2025. Quartararo, who extended his contract with Yamaha on the promise of significant technical upgrades, has made it clear that delays will test his patience.
The French rider has previously clashed with Yamaha over what he sees as an overly conservative development philosophy. Unlike Ducati and KTM, which bring aggressive updates almost every race weekend, Yamaha tends to take a slower, methodical approach. Quartararo respects the precision but warns that the rest of the grid isn’t waiting.
Quartararo’s Vision for Progress
What Quartararo is asking for is not instant miracles but a tangible sign of progress. He wants to ride the V4, provide his feedback, and shape its development into a competitive machine. Even if the bike is not faster immediately, understanding its characteristics—power delivery, chassis balance, aerodynamics, and rideability—will allow Yamaha to refine it step by step.
The Frenchman believes that this is exactly how Ducati built its empire. The Desmosedici was once a bike notorious for being fast but unmanageable. Over years of data collection, feedback from riders like Casey Stoner, Andrea Dovizioso, and Jorge Lorenzo, and relentless technical upgrades, Ducati transformed it into the benchmark. Quartararo wants Yamaha to embark on the same journey, starting now.
The Emotional Side of the Gamble
For Quartararo, testing the V4 isn’t just about lap times—it’s about confidence and hope. After years of fighting an uphill battle, the French rider wants to feel that Yamaha is genuinely committed to returning to the top. “I’ve been loyal to Yamaha because I believe in them,” he said earlier this year. “But they need to show me that they believe in winning as much as I do.”
The 25-year-old knows that a wrong step could cost him precious years of his career, but he also recognizes that doing nothing is a bigger risk. In MotoGP, standing still is the same as falling behind.
What’s at Stake
If Yamaha succeeds in making the V4 competitive, it could mark the start of a new golden era for the factory. Quartararo, with his raw talent and determination, would be the perfect spearhead for such a project. However, if the V4 project falters, it could lead to further frustrations and possibly push Quartararo to reconsider his future beyond 2026.
For now, his message is clear: give him the V4, even if it’s slower, and let him be part of building the future. The French rider has shown time and again that he thrives on challenges, and this one might be the most important of his career.
Conclusion
Fabio Quartararo’s willingness to embrace Yamaha’s V4 experiment underlines both his hunger for success and his desperation for change. He understands that it may not bring immediate victories, but he also knows that waiting too long will leave Yamaha permanently on the back foot. As MotoGP enters a new era of technical regulations in 2026, Quartararo is pushing his team to act now rather than later.
Whether the V4 becomes Yamaha’s salvation or another chapter of frustration remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Quartararo is ready to take the risk, and in doing so, he may just force Yamaha to take the bold leap it has long resisted.
