Yamaha: "Unrealistic" to think about V4 engine switch in 2025

The V4 engine that Yamaha has been working on for a year will be introduced only when it is able to offer an advantage over the inline four-cylinder unit, according to the director of the Japanese brand

Yamaha has conceded that introducing a new V4 engine on its bike before the end of the 2025 MotoGP season is “unrealistic”.

Since Suzuki’s exit after 2012, Yamaha has been the only manufacturer on the grid that continues to use an inline four-cylinder engine in the championship.

Although Yamaha has won six titles with this engine configuration since the advent of the MotoGP era in 2002, the emergence of Ducati has led the competition to experiment with routes that they did not consider in the past.

Yamaha finally confirmed at the end of last year that it was in an advanced state with the development of a V4 motor, following an initial report by Autosport.

The Japanese brand had previously not provided a timeline about its possible introduction, only stating that “you might see it on track in the middle of 2025” if everything goes according to plan.

However, new Yamaha MotoGP chief Paolo Pavesio has now strongly indicated that the new V4 engine will not be ready for racing until at least 2026, the final season of the current 1000cc ruleset.

"Our goal in the short to medium term is to finish races in the top five. And at the same time, we are developing the V4 project. It's an entire bike, not just an engine," said Pavesio.

Paolo Pavesio, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing

Photo by: Yamaha

"We have to get results today, while working for tomorrow. When the bike with the V4 engine is better than the one we use now, if it ever is, then we will introduce it.

"It is unrealistic to think about making the switch to V4 in 2025. When we give that bike to the official riders, we have to be convinced that it is at a good level.”

The new V4 engine was expected to hit the track the first time at Jerez in December, with Andrea Dovizioso being entrusted with the opportunity to test the bike.

However, the test was cancelled, and the power unit was packed once again. It now appears the new engine won’t make its track debut until April.

Yamaha has ramped up its investment in MotoGP in recent months. In addition to signing Pramac as a satellite team with full factory support, a group within its technical department is working on the development of the V4 engine.

While Ducati, Aprilia and KTM will have their engines frozen by regulation in 2025 and ‘26, Yamaha – along with Honda – benefits from concessions and is free to develop it without any restrictions.