Why Fabio Quartararo Wants to Ride Yamaha’s V4 MotoGP Bike Despite Fears It’s Slower

Fabio Quartararo has once again voiced his frustration with Yamaha’s development strategy, making it clear that he wants to get his hands on the factory’s long-awaited V4 MotoGP bike, even if it turns out to be slower than the current in-line four. For Quartararo, the 2021 world champion, the urgency comes not from impatience, but from the desperate need for Yamaha to break free from the stagnation that has left them battling at the back of the grid.

A Struggling Yamaha at the Austrian GP

Yamaha’s current predicament was painfully exposed at the Austrian Grand Prix, where all four of its bikes finished at the rear of the field. The Red Bull Ring has historically been a challenging circuit for Yamaha’s in-line four, but the 2024 showing was particularly alarming. The lack of competitiveness has only strengthened calls within the paddock for Yamaha to accelerate the introduction of its V4 project, even if it means taking risks earlier than planned.

While Yamaha has always been cautious with development, the current crisis has led many—including Quartararo himself—to argue that the factory has nothing to lose. With results already hitting rock bottom, testing the V4 in real racing conditions could provide valuable feedback that no amount of private testing can replicate.

Quartararo’s Push for the V4

Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Quartararo openly admitted that he is frustrated by Yamaha’s conservative timeline. The team plans to debut the V4 at the Misano test next month, but Quartararo made it clear that he would have preferred to ride the bike much earlier.

“Yes, I wanted to test it [already],” he explained. “But I think they are late in the development of the bike. My feeling was we had to test it already, but I’m not the one that chooses if I need to ride the bike or not. I think they are scared that the bike is not ready and is not good enough for me to try it.”

This statement highlights a key divide between Yamaha’s management and its star rider. While the engineers prefer a more methodical approach, Quartararo is ready to gamble, believing that even a less-than-perfect version of the V4 could give him and the team crucial direction.

Willing to Race the V4 This Season

Perhaps the most striking aspect of Quartararo’s comments was his willingness to actually race the V4 bike this season, even if its performance lags slightly behind the current machine.

“I mean, it depends how good or bad it is, but of course we need a change,” Quartararo said. “And also it would be an idea for us to see where our bike is.”

When pressed to define what “good or bad” meant, Quartararo revealed that as long as the V4 was within half a second per lap of the current in-line four, he would consider it worth racing. “For me, I think yes,” he clarified. “I mean, 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 would be the first time that I would really use it.”

This bold statement underscores his hunger for progress. For Quartararo, the V4 doesn’t need to be perfect immediately. What matters is that Yamaha finally takes a step toward closing the gap to Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia—factories that have embraced V4 configurations with significant success.

The V4 Development Timeline

Yamaha’s V4 engine project began last year in response to growing pressure to modernize its MotoGP program. The in-line four, while smooth and manageable, has struggled against the raw horsepower and acceleration of rival V4s. Ducati’s dominance in particular has emphasized Yamaha’s need to evolve.

So far, only Yamaha’s test riders have had access to the prototype. Information has been tightly controlled, with little public data on its performance. However, Quartararo’s teammate Alex Rins let slip before the Czech Grand Prix that the V4 was still about two seconds a lap slower than the current race bike at that stage of testing. This gap highlights why Yamaha remains hesitant to let its race riders test it publicly.

Still, two seconds is a margin that can close quickly with focused development, especially if feedback from top riders like Quartararo accelerates the process. His argument is that until the factory riders themselves test it under real conditions, Yamaha will never know just how competitive—or uncompetitive—the machine truly is.

Yamaha’s Reluctance vs. Quartararo’s Determination

The philosophical divide between Yamaha and Quartararo is becoming more evident with each race. Yamaha values caution, preferring not to risk damaging its reputation by putting an underdeveloped bike on the grid. Quartararo, however, believes that the reputation is already damaged after the repeated failures of the in-line four to compete at the front.

For Quartararo, the priority is progress, even if that progress comes with growing pains. His stance shows the mindset of a rider willing to push boundaries and sacrifice short-term comfort for long-term gains. This contrasts with Yamaha’s typically conservative approach, which has worked in the past but now seems out of step with the aggressive strategies employed by rivals.

What’s at Stake

Yamaha’s decision on when to let Quartararo ride the V4 could be critical for its future. The Frenchman remains the centerpiece of Yamaha’s MotoGP project, but continued lack of competitiveness risks his long-term loyalty. Quartararo has already been linked with rival teams in recent years, and if Yamaha fails to show real progress, he may reconsider his future once again.

Moreover, MotoGP as a whole is moving toward V4 dominance. Ducati has mastered it, KTM has developed a strong package, and Aprilia has transformed itself into a genuine frontrunner with its V4-powered RS-GP. If Yamaha remains stuck with an outdated philosophy for too long, it risks becoming permanently uncompetitive.

Conclusion

Fabio Quartararo’s call to test Yamaha’s V4 MotoGP bike—even if it’s slower—sends a clear message: Yamaha must stop hesitating and start innovating at race pace. For Quartararo, losing half a second per lap in the short term is acceptable if it means the beginning of a new era for Yamaha. The 2021 world champion’s willingness to race the prototype shows his desperation for change, his determination to fight back against Ducati and KTM, and his refusal to accept mediocrity.

Whether Yamaha will take the gamble and let Quartararo push the V4 earlier than planned remains to be seen. But with the factory under immense pressure and its riders running at the back, the Frenchman’s words may be the spark that finally forces Yamaha to accelerate its revolution.