Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Have confirmed that the YZR-M1 machines will be powered by the V4 engine from the 2026 season onwards. This decision aligns with Yamaha's intentions to transition, underlining the continuity and transparency of their engine development.
The inline-four has been a cornerstone of Yamaha's racing identity for decades, powering legendary riders such as Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, and Fabio Quartararo. Its unique combination of agility and smooth power delivery led to countless successes, including today's race in Valencia. The inline-four has competed in 429 Grands Prix, won 125 races, stood on 350+ podiums, and helped Yamaha claim eight Riders Titles, seven Team Titles, five Manufacturer Titles and five MotoGP Triple Crowns.
The new configuration is expected to deliver improved acceleration, better handling under braking, and greater adaptability to the most recent tyres and aerodynamics requirements. The quick development process over the course of the 2025 season reflects Yamaha's commitment to be at the forefront of MotoGP technology while honouring its heritage.
Sunday’s Grand Prix of the Valencian Community marks the final race and the closing chapter for Yamaha's iconic inline-four engine in MotoGP. Stepping into a new era, all 2026 Yamaha MotoGP riders will ride with the V4 engine during Tuesday's Valencia Test, signalling the start of an exciting new beginning for Yamaha and its fans worldwide.
Massimo Bartolini (Technical Director, Yamaha Factory Racing) said: "The decision to adopt a V4 engine was not taken lightly. As you can imagine, the development process was extensive. We analysed every aspect of performance, from acceleration to cornering behaviour, and concluded that this configuration offers the differences we expected, so we will have the potential to translate these into advantages.
"The 2025 wild cards confirmed our expectations: the V4, though still at the start of its development journey, delivers what we need to be able to take further steps and compete at the highest level again.
"The switch from the inline-four to the V4 is a major step forward for Yamaha, and we are excited to continue refining the package ahead of 2026 and throughout the season to unlock its full potential.
"The shift to a V4 configuration is equally strategic, as it allows us to position ourselves for the 2027 technical regulations, when this engine layout will offer an advantage in terms of bike layout and aerodynamic development."