The Yamaha V4 MotoGP bike debut failed to meet expectations during the San Marino Grand Prix sprint race, as factory test rider Augusto Fernandez faced a challenging outing. Despite initial promise during practice sessions, Fernandez’s race performance was marked by significant difficulties, reflecting the struggles inherent in adapting to Yamaha’s new V4-powered M1.
Practice Sessions Offer Hope Before Difficult Race Day
The weekend initially showed potential for Yamaha’s new V4 project, with Fernandez recording laps just six tenths slower than factory rider Fabio Quartararo in practice. However, Saturday’s sprint race revealed a stark contrast. Fernandez finished 18th, trailing the race leader by 28 seconds and only ahead of rookie Somkiat Chantra from LCR. He lagged approximately ten seconds behind Alex Rins’ factory M1 and was about eleven seconds slower than Jack Miller, the highest-placed Yamaha rider in 14th position. This gap underscored the significant performance deficit the new V4-powered M1 was experiencing.
Qualifying Results Reflect Bike’s Early Difficulties
Fernandez qualified 22nd Saturday morning, with a time slower than his best effort from the previous day’s practice, suggesting challenges in finding the M1 V4’s optimal settings. The Spaniard described a bike that reacts unpredictably to minor setup tweaks, swinging between competitive and completely off pace.
He explained the delicate balance required for the new machine:
“It’s the Inline. Now with the V4 sometimes we feel good and sometimes we feel bad, like today. We need to find the balance of the bike. We are so close to making a small change, and we are completely out. Then it looks like we are in, but then another change and we are out again. Then the numbers don’t come.”
—Augusto Fernandez, Yamaha Factory Racing
Fernandez emphasized the work remaining to identify effective setup parameters, noting the differences between the new V4 and the previous inline model.
“All the numbers that they have in mind from the standard bike, from the inline, it’s not that they don’t work, but they are not correct for our bike right now. We need to be open-minded and look for other numbers.”
—Augusto Fernandez, Yamaha Factory Racing
Challenges in Race Conditions Highlight Development Hurdles
Prior to the race debut, Yamaha conducted multiple private tests with the V4-spec M1 but lacked experience with bike behavior in race traffic. Fernandez struggled to maintain competitive pace while following other riders and was hampered by vibrations and chattering that also contributed to Quartararo’s early crash earlier in the weekend. He acknowledged the difficulty in matching the race leaders’ speed and aerodynamic turbulence during close racing.
The problem is with the engine right now, it’s hard to be close or to fight for something or arrive at the same speed and have the proper turbulence because you arrive in a bad way at another speed. I realised it now in the race,
—Augusto Fernandez, Yamaha Factory Racing
The vibrations were a notable issue during the sprint, affecting both the new V4 and the standard M1, indicating a shared challenge across different models. Fernandez remarked,
Also, the standard bike had some vibrations, so this is something to analyse well because it’s not the chassis, it’s not the engine, it’s something else that we are all having and we are all facing this problem. The vibrations were huge this race. Also, it’s the first time that I had this vibration in this race.
—Augusto Fernandez, Yamaha Factory Racing
New Engine Necessitates Comprehensive Redesign
The switch to a V4 engine requires a complete rebuild of the M1’s chassis and aerodynamics, making the Misano race an essential test not just for power delivery but for overall bike dynamics. Fernandez’s feedback is therefore crucial in guiding the ongoing development, as he evaluates the new machine’s behavior in multiple aspects.
Regarding aerodynamic performance, Fernandez noted slight improvements with alternate fairings tested during evolution sessions but stressed that significant aero work remains ahead of upcoming wildcard entries.
But also, we need to develop this because it’s a new bike, it’s narrow, everything is different. Also, they are working and we are going to have more evolutions of aero for the next wildcards.
—Augusto Fernandez, Yamaha Factory Racing
The Path Forward for Yamaha’s V4 MotoGP Project
Yamaha’s new V4 M1 represents a major shift in design philosophy, but the initial competitive outing at the San Marino Grand Prix highlighted that substantial development lies ahead. Fernandez’s candid insights into the unpredictable handling, engine-related turbulence, and vibration challenges underline the complexity of refining a fresh MotoGP prototype within tight racing calendars.
As Yamaha continues to gather data and trial setup adjustments, efforts will focus on stabilizing the bike’s performance window and improving rideability in traffic conditions. The upcoming wildcard rounds and further testing sessions will be critical to bridging the gap to established factory M1 bikes used by riders such as Alex Rins and Jack Miller.
Ultimately, the development trajectory will determine whether the V4 configuration can translate into consistent race pace and success, with expectations high within Yamaha Factory Racing but tempered by the realities of integrating new technology into MotoGP competition.
