MotoGP champion Fabio Quartararo has made a strong appeal to Yamaha, stressing the importance of retaining Jack Miller as the Japanese manufacturer moves forward with its development of a new V4 engine aimed for the 2026 season. This recommendation comes as Yamaha is at a critical point in refining its racing strategy and engineering direction.
Miller’s Experience with V4 Engines Seen as Vital Asset
Jack Miller’s extensive background with V4 power units, gained through his time at Honda, Ducati, and KTM, makes him a key figure for Yamaha’s transition to the new engine format. Currently racing with the Prima Pramac Yamaha Racing team, Miller is considered Yamaha’s second-best rider for the 2025 MotoGP World Championship, trailing only Quartararo himself. Although Yamaha has not confirmed Miller’s status for the next season, many anticipate his retention to aid the V4 project.
Quartararo explained the importance of Miller’s experience during an event in Hungary:
“I don’t know what the decision is with Pramac, but I think it’s great to keep Jack, because he’s the one who has much more experience with the V4.” —Fabio Quartararo
Quartararo further highlighted the lack of familiarity his other teammates have with V4 engines:
“I mean, I never rode a V4. Alex [Rins] rode a Honda for half a year, then got injured. Toprak never rode a MotoGP bike. So you have to keep one guy that has experience with a V4, I think.” —Fabio Quartararo
Upcoming V4 Testing at Misano Signals Yamaha’s Commitment
Yamaha’s plans to debut the V4 engine at the Misano circuit this September mark a significant step in their development process. Test rider Augusto Fernandez will be the first to put the new engine through its paces, gathering important performance data. Quartararo himself will conduct tests during the post-race session at Misano, an opportunity that could heavily influence Yamaha’s future racing strategy.
Quartararo Emphasizes Focus Shift from Inline Four to V4 Power Units
Despite some uncertainty about fully integrating the V4 into Yamaha’s 2026 MotoGP lineup, Quartararo believes the company has already decided to pivot away from the Inline Four engine. He stressed the necessity of focusing resources on the V4 to enhance competitiveness:
“They have to focus on one thing. Because I think it’s already difficult to make one thing well,” —Fabio Quartararo
“So I hope they are fully focused on the V4, because we have no new things to come with the four Inline.” —Fabio Quartararo
The Stakes for Yamaha and Miller as the V4 Project Advances
The outcome of Yamaha’s decision on whether to keep Jack Miller will have a significant impact on how successfully the company can develop and race its new V4 engine. With Miller’s expertise considered a potential game-changer, Yamaha’s future competitiveness in MotoGP may hinge on this choice. The racing community watches closely as the team prepares for this pivotal shift ahead of the 2026 season.
