Jack Miller praises Yamaha V4 progress after the brand made major strides developing its first V4-powered M1 during the 2024 MotoGP season. Speaking at Pramac’s livery launch in Siena, Miller expressed admiration for Yamaha’s engineering achievement, which comes as MotoGP prepares for significant technical changes.
Yamaha’s Shift to the V4 Engine: An Ambitious Undertaking
Yamaha revealed in 2024 its intention to move from its longstanding inline-four engine to a new V4 configuration, marking a pivotal moment for the Japanese manufacturer in modern MotoGP. The prototype made its competitive debut as a wildcard entry with Augusto Fernandez at the San Marino Grand Prix, finishing 14th and achieving championship points on its first outing.
Fernandez continued to give the new bike further exposure throughout the season by racing it in Malaysia and Valencia. Yamaha has publicly committed to running the V4 as its main machine starting in 2026, reflecting a long-term investment in competitiveness and innovation.
During the Pramac Racing team’s 2026 livery presentation, Miller took a moment to acknowledge the scale of Yamaha’s engineering efforts.
“I mean, it’s an unreal undertaking from Yamaha, what they did last year to develop this motorcycle alongside the current M1 at that time,”
Jack Miller remarked.
The Australian rider further emphasized Yamaha’s determination, noting the constraints of a packed MotoGP schedule. With 22 rounds and little time for development, Miller highlighted the team’s ability to adapt:
“With the time constraints we have with 22 rounds, they made miracles happen.”
Yamaha and its technical staff will now face a busy pre-season as they work toward fine-tuning the V4 in preparation for the challenges ahead.
“And I believe we have a lot of busy days ahead of us throughout the pre-season, trying to get this thing ready to fight by the time we get to Thailand,”
Miller projected.
New Team Dynamics: Toprak Razgatlioglu Joins Pramac
This season, Pramac welcomes Toprak Razgatlioglu, the three-time World Superbike champion, who begins his highly anticipated MotoGP career alongside experienced campaigner Jack Miller. Entering his twelfth year at the top level, Miller brings valuable expertise, which could help his new Turkish teammate adjust to Grand Prix racing.
Despite his experience, Miller feels that Razgatlioglu will not need much guidance from him.
“He doesn’t need a mentor, I don’t think,”
Miller stated. Recognizing Razgatlioglu’s support system, particularly the presence of manager Kenan Sofuoglu, Miller expressed confidence in his colleague’s transition to MotoGP. Miller also praised his brief time getting to know Razgatlioglu away from the competitive environment, calling him
“an absolute legend of a bloke.”
He is optimistic about fostering a strong team spirit, saying,
“I think it will be a lot of fun. Pramac is generally known for being quite a family-oriented team, and Toprak really embraces that atmosphere.”
Looking Ahead: Yamaha’s Future and Pramac’s Team Chemistry
Yamaha’s commitment to the V4 engine represents a significant shift that could influence the MotoGP landscape in the coming years. With Miller praising Yamaha’s efforts and Razgatlioglu prepared for his debut, both teams are poised for an eventful season. The adjustments made now, both technically and within the team’s social dynamic, may determine their competitive edge as the MotoGP grid evolves.
