Fabio Quartararo Admits Yamaha’s V4 Still Leaves Him Feeling “Worse”

Fabio Quartararo is no stranger to carrying the weight of Yamaha’s MotoGP program on his shoulders, but his latest comments after testing the manufacturer’s new V4-powered M1 at Misano reveal a rider deeply concerned about the direction of development. The 2021 world champion openly admitted that the latest version of the bike feels “worse” than the current inline-four, intensifying doubts about Yamaha’s ability to close the gap to Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM before the next era of regulations arrives in 2027.

Quartararo’s Early Verdict: “At the Moment, It’s Worse”

Following the San Marino Grand Prix weekend, Yamaha dedicated Monday’s test at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli to putting crucial mileage on its V4 prototype. Quartararo had already sampled the bike at a private test in Barcelona, where he noted some promising signs. However, Misano’s technical layout provided a harsher reality check.

“At the moment, it’s worse,” Quartararo admitted when asked to compare the V4 with Yamaha’s current inline-four engine. “In Barcelona, we felt some difference, that for me was in a better way. Here, we haven’t found it yet.”

The Frenchman’s disappointment was evident, as he pointed out that none of the new bike’s supposed strengths had materialized during the morning session. He finished 17th, over a second slower than Alex Marquez on the Gresini Ducati, and struggled to highlight any clear area where the V4 was an improvement.

Barcelona Positives Fade at Misano

Quartararo’s earlier outing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya had provided a glimmer of hope. The smoother nature of that circuit, with fewer consecutive corner combinations, allowed Yamaha’s V4 to show flashes of competitiveness. Misano, however, exposed deeper flaws.

“In Barcelona, it was a bit better, but the track is really smooth,” he explained. “There are not so many corners straight away close to each other. Here, you have Turns 1, 2, 3, then 11, 12, 13 — it’s one corner after another. The bike is super aggressive, and it still has a lot of work to do.”

The contrast highlights the challenge Yamaha faces: building a bike that can perform consistently across vastly different circuits. Where the inline-four shone with smooth turning and predictable balance, the V4 so far seems unsettled, particularly in sections requiring fast changes of direction.

Yamaha’s Big Gamble on the V4

For nearly two decades, Yamaha has been synonymous with its inline-four engine philosophy in MotoGP. The layout brought great success, with Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, and more recently Quartararo himself winning championships on bikes prized for their agility and mid-corner speed.

But as rivals embraced V4 engines, Yamaha found itself increasingly outgunned. Ducati’s relentless acceleration and top speed, Aprilia’s nimble RS-GP, and KTM’s powerful package left Yamaha trailing. Engineers concluded that the inline-four had reached its ceiling, leading to the bold decision to develop an entirely new V4-based M1 for the 2026 season.

The Misano test was meant to show that progress is being made. Instead, Quartararo’s words underscored the daunting road ahead.

Quartararo Questions the Whole Approach

Quartararo has never been one to shy away from honesty, and his post-test remarks carried more frustration than optimism. Asked about Yamaha’s assurances that the new M1 has plenty of potential yet to be unlocked, he refused to take the bait.

“I will not answer questions about the potential,” he said bluntly. “I don’t think the V4 engine will resolve all our problems. We still find the same issues we had in Barcelona and here.”

The comment is significant because it suggests that Yamaha’s problems may be more fundamental than just engine layout. Electronics, aerodynamics, and overall chassis balance remain key weaknesses, and simply bolting in a V4 doesn’t instantly erase them.

Fernandez’s Debut, Quartararo’s Criticism

At the San Marino Grand Prix, Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez made the first public appearance on the V4-powered M1 as a wildcard. The Spaniard finished 14th in the race, but he was quick to highlight issues with front-end stability and confidence under braking.

Quartararo, however, pushed back on the idea that front-end feeling was the biggest problem. “It’s not really a matter of front feeling, it’s a matter of turning,” he said. “The feeling of the inline-four is really good. It’s the strongest point of the bike, but it’s the only good thing we have. This one [V4] is maybe a bit worse right now, and we don’t find any other really positive [points].”

That statement paints a worrying picture for Yamaha. While rivals like Ducati and Aprilia can boast well-rounded machines with multiple strengths, Quartararo feels that even Yamaha’s supposed advantages are being lost in translation to the V4.

A Champion Running Out of Patience

Quartararo’s contract extension with Yamaha in 2024 was worth a reported €12 million per season, making him one of the highest-paid riders on the grid. Yet his body language and comments throughout 2025 reveal a rider increasingly at odds with his manufacturer’s pace of development.

He hasn’t won a Grand Prix since Sachsenring 2022, and podiums have been rare. For a rider of his talent, being forced to fight for top-10 finishes instead of victories has become a source of visible frustration. The V4 project was meant to rekindle his belief in Yamaha’s future. So far, it seems to be deepening his doubts.

The Road Ahead for Yamaha

Despite Quartararo’s harsh words, Yamaha insists that the V4 remains in its infancy and that its true potential won’t be seen until at least the Valencia post-season test later this year. Engineers argue that electronics, fuel mapping, and aerodynamics are still in the early stages of adaptation to the new engine configuration.

Every MotoGP manufacturer that has switched concepts has endured a painful transition period. Even Ducati’s now-dominant Desmosedici took years of iteration before it became the grid’s benchmark. Yamaha’s challenge is to accelerate that process while keeping its star rider engaged.

Quartararo’s Importance to Yamaha

Yamaha’s commitment to Quartararo is about more than just results on track. He is the face of the team, a marketable star, and a proven world champion. If his confidence in the V4 project erodes completely, Yamaha risks losing its greatest asset to rivals who would eagerly sign him for 2027.

The manufacturer is therefore in a delicate balancing act: pushing development aggressively while managing rider expectations and morale. Quartararo’s candor may sting, but it also reflects his desire to see Yamaha deliver a machine worthy of his talent.

Conclusion: A Rough Start, but a Long Road

The Misano test confirmed what many feared: Yamaha’s switch to a V4 engine is not an instant fix. For Fabio Quartararo, the first impressions are underwhelming, with the Frenchman openly stating that the bike currently feels worse than the inline-four.

But the project is still in its early days, and while Quartararo’s frustration is understandable, history shows that patience is often required when changing fundamental concepts. Yamaha has months of development ahead, and if the engineers can translate their laboratory findings into track performance, the V4 M1 could yet evolve into a competitive weapon.

For now, though, the verdict from Yamaha’s superstar is brutally clear: “At the moment, it’s worse.”