On January 21, 2026, a new chapter officially began for Yamaha. Live from Jakarta, the official team unveiled the new M1 powered by a V4 engine instead of the inline four-cylinder. Although aware that they have a long and winding road ahead of them, the two official riders, Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, wanted to express their optimism.
"The new project will be the beginning of a long process, but we will try to push right away. Testing will begin in two weeks. It will last five days. The hope is to find the right direction quickly and be faster than in 2025. Since it is a new product, there is significant room for improvement in every area, from cornering to power delivery. How would I describe the livery? Unique, recognizable, and beautiful," said El Diablo.
"I can't wait to get on the track and see how it goes at Sepang. So far, every time we've tested it, it's been a novelty. Everyone has worked hard to make it happen, but there is still a lot to do. How would I describe it? Fresh, with an attractive front end, especially where the white stands out, and hopefully powerful," commented the Spaniard.
"Unveiling a new bike is always special because it is the result of the work done in Italy and Japan. We started almost from scratch, so initially we will have to learn, then hopefully the results will come. The test program ahead of us is long, but we are confident in what we have prepared for those days. At least 5 or 6 should be dry," said Yamaha manager Massimo Meregalli.
"2026 marks the beginning of an exciting chapter that requires discipline, data, and dedication from everyone involved: our factory in Japan, Yamaha Motor Racing in Italy, the official teams, and our test team. The parallel development of three platforms last year provided us with the foundation for this season, so we can focus on developing the 2026 model while continuing to work on the 2027 prototype. We have already seen encouraging signs, such as greater stability under braking, improved acceleration potential, and greater consistency over long distances," said motorsport division head Takahiro Sumi. "Success at the start of the season will not be measured solely by results: every lap adds knowledge that will propel us forward. Our goal for 2026 is focused on accelerating the pace of development and ensuring seamless integration between design, testing, and racing. We are committed to building momentum, and the results will follow."
"2026 is crucial because it accelerates the transformation of the brand," said team principal Paolo Pavesio enthusiastically. "It's phase two of our Blue Shift plan. The new M1 we just unveiled gives us a much wider margin for development than in the past. I foresee a season in which we will deepen our knowledge of the new bike and improve our performance lap after lap, race after race. Indonesia is the perfect place to start this new chapter. It is home to one of the most passionate motorcycle communities in the world: we have our largest racing fan base here, and of course, this is a key market for Yamaha."
"Hosting the team launch together with the YIMM 3S Dealer Meeting underlines the importance of this region to Yamaha's vision. The energy and enthusiasm here inspire us and strengthen our commitment to a great challenge ahead and a long MotoGP season, which will again consist of 22 rounds in total," he concluded.
The first time we will see the new bike on track will be on January 29 at the Malaysian shakedown. We recall that last season, Yamaha finished at the bottom of the constructors' standings.