Yamaha have a private test in Barcelona following the Catalan GP, and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) confirmed he’ll use the test day on Monday to ride the new V4.
The V in V4 refers to the angle of the engine configuration. Every factory on the grid uses what is more or less a V4 configuration with the sole exception of Yamaha, who are racing an inline four, as they always have.
Now, the Iwata factory is also developing a V4 and with the current 1000cc engine displacement, just over a year before the regulations see all bikes on the grid change to 850cc in 2027 - quite a statement of intent from the factory.
As confirmed by Paolo Pavesio in Hungary, the V4 version of the bike will get its first race outing at the upcoming Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera in the hands of test rider Augusto Fernández as he wildcards.
Before that, Quartararo has confirmed he’ll be giving it a run out in their private test on Monday. Stay tuned to see if Yamaha offer any comment ahead of its racing debut…