Yamaha has unveiled an all-new V4-powered MotoGP for the 2026 season, because it makes a remaining push to return to competitiveness below the present rules cycle.
Manufacturing facility riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins travelled to Jakarta on Wednesday to launch the brand new M1, which retains Yamaha’s signature blue and black livery.
Having been the one producer to run an inline four-cylinder engine in MotoGP, the swap brings Yamaha into technical alignment with Honda, Ducati, Aprilia and KTM and ensures higher parity throughout the grid.
The Iwata-based model has spent greater than a 12 months growing its new V4 motor, whose dimensions required a whole redesign of the bike.
Take a look at rider Augusto Fernandez accomplished a number of wildcard outings with the V4-spec M1 in the direction of the top of the 2025 season, whereas Quartararo and Rins additionally bought the chance to pattern the brand new bike throughout testing.
Whereas preliminary response from riders was combined, Yamaha confirmed on the eve of November’s Valencia season finale that it’ll swap to the V4 bike in 2026, only one 12 months earlier than the introduction of recent 850cc engine guidelines in MotoGP.
Yamaha will probably be hoping that the transfer to V4 energy will assist revive its flagging fortunes in MotoGP. Regardless of making an inexpensive step ahead final 12 months, it slipped to the underside of the producers’ championship, as homegrown rival Honda made a good greater leap with the RC213V.
Yamaha additionally must hit the bottom operating with its new bike to reassure star rider Quartararo that it may be aggressive once more in MotoGP.
With the rider market transferring rapidly, Quartararo has already warned that he could also be pressured to look elsewhere if he loses religion within the venture.
Yamaha is closely depending on the Frenchman, who scored 201 out of the group’s tally of 269 factors final 12 months and completed ninth within the riders’ standings. Quartararo’s contribution to Yamaha is highlighted by the truth that he scored extra factors than all different M1 riders mixed, together with Pramac duo Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira.
On the opposite facet of the manufacturing unit storage, Rins’ two-year contract with Yamaha additionally expires after 2026, and the Spaniard wants an enormous season after failing to complete a race increased than seventh final 12 months.
With Honda transferring to Group C, Yamaha would be the solely producer to get probably the most beneficiant testing and growth concessions below the rules in 2026.
Whereas turning round its MotoGP programme in 2026 is important, Yamaha has additionally begun testing its 850cc for the subsequent rule cycle. It’s understood that the Italian producer discretely ran its 2027 challenger at its personal facility in Iwata in mid-December.
We wish your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Staff
Trending Merchandise
