Today ,the Valencia GP will be the last race for Yamaha with the straight-4s. Starting Tuesday, the date of the first official test in 2026, all of the Iwata company's riders will be riding the new M1 with the V4 engine.
The in-line four-cylinder has been a pillar of Yamaha's racing identity for decades, carried to success by riders such as Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, and Fabio Quartararo. This engine has competed in 429 Grand Prix, won 125 races, claimed more than 350 podiums, and helped Yamaha win eight riders titles, seven team titles, five constructors titles, and five MotoGP triple crowns.
The new V4 configuration should provide better acceleration, better braking, and greater adaptability to the latest tire and aerodynamic requirements, Yamaha explained.
Takahiro Sumi, Yamaha's general manager for the Motorsports Development Division, said, "The inline-four engine has been at the heart of Yamaha's philosophy for decades. It has delivered unforgettable victories and shaped our reputation for precision and control. We're proud of the achievements of this engine and the riders who have made history with it, since they've all together shaped our racing tradition. However, the MotoGP is constantly evolving, and we must evolve with it. The V4 represents a new chapter for Yamaha, combining our 'Spirit of Challenge' with our racing DNA and the technical solutions needed to fight at the top. Our goal remains the same... to provide our riders with the best possible bike to win and to transmit the Kando feeling to fans around the world."
Technical Director Massimo Bartolini added, "The decision to adopt the V4 engine wasn't taken lightly. As you can imagine, the development process was very long. We analyzed every aspect of performance, from acceleration to cornering behavior, and concluded that this configuration offers the differences we expected, so weìll have the potential to translate them into advantages. The 2025 wild cards have confirmed our expectations. The V4, although still early in its development, offers what we need to be able to further progress and compete at the highest level again. The transition from the straight-four to the V4 is a major step forward for Yamaha, and we're excited to continue improving the package in the run-up to 2026 and throughout the season, in order to take advantage of its full potential. The move to the V4 configuration is equally strategic, since it allows us to position ourselves for the 2027 technical standards, when this engine layout will provide an advantage in terms of bike layout and aerodynamic development."