MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo is set to showcase the new V4 engine Yamaha has been developing during a private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Monday, marking his first ride with the prototype. This unexpected advancement means the test will now take place earlier than initially planned, with Yamaha accelerating its development schedule ahead of the San Marino Grand Prix.
Originally, Yamaha had intended for Augusto Fernandez to race the V4-powered M1 at the San Marino Grand Prix on 14 September, with factory riders Quartararo and Alex Rins scheduled to test the engine the following Monday. Instead, Yamaha confirmed the V4 engine test on 8 September in Barcelona, where Fernández had previously tested the first iteration of the bike. Quartararo revealed this development after Friday’s practice session in Spain, where he narrowly missed direct qualification to Q2 by 0.003 seconds.
Quartararo urges Yamaha to accelerate V4 engine progress
The French champion has been publicly pressing Yamaha to hasten the V4 engine’s development, warning of delays as the team prepares for a full V4-spec bike launch planned for 2026. Upon arriving in Barcelona, Quartararo expressed urgency, emphasizing that Yamaha is trailing behind in engine development against its competitors.
“Yamaha knows it’s several months behind in developing the V4 engine,” —Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
This test will provide critical data, allowing Yamaha’s engineers to evaluate recent improvements and gauge the performance gains necessary for the upcoming season. Additionally, Yamaha hopes the advancements will encourage Quartararo to extend his contract beyond the current term, keeping the reigning world champion within the team.
Challenging conditions affect Quartararo’s Barcelona practice
Before his test debut, Quartararo faced difficulties adapting to the low-grip surface of the Barcelona circuit, which impacted his performance during practice. Aware of these challenges, both the rider and Yamaha anticipated a tough session on Friday.
“Clearly, this morning was one of the worst sessions,” Quartararo admitted, describing the rough start. He added that although the afternoon session improved slightly, two yellow flags in the last sector prevented him from completing another crucial lap.
“It’s never easy, but I think that [second lap] will have been good [to take me] into Q2.” —Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Significance of the Barcelona test and outlook
The upcoming Barcelona test holds great importance for Yamaha as it strives to close the gap in engine performance compared to rival manufacturers, notably Honda, who will also be present on the track. The data gathered will directly influence the development path of Yamaha’s prototype, determining whether they can make the necessary strides to challenge for future titles.
For Quartararo, this test is also a pivotal moment in his career with Yamaha, as the results could impact contract negotiations and the team’s ability to maintain its championship-winning status. With the pressures mounting, both rider and manufacturer appear committed to accelerating progress despite recent setbacks and frustrations noted during current practice sessions.
