Yamaha crew boss Paolo Pavesio says the model’s “advanced” engine improvement path, which incorporates the brand new V4, is “wanted if we need to be again the place we need to be”.
The Japanese marque went from successful the title with Fabio Quartararo in 2021 and combating for it once more in 2022 to dramatically dropping off the tempo within the ensuing years.
The 2025 season has seen some indicators of progress, with Quartararo on pole 4 occasions and taking two podiums throughout grands prix and dash.
Because it appears to be like to proceed this upwards pattern, Yamaha is creating a V4 engine for the primary time alongside its present inline-four cylinder motor.
Whereas it’s hoped that the V4 can be race prepared for 2026, Pavesio admits Yamaha is “nonetheless undecided” this would be the case.
On the similar time, it’s also engaged on the 850cc engine components change for 2027.
Pavesio has branded Yamaha’s present improvement plan as “advanced”, however concedes that it is a needed evil if it has any hope of getting again to the entrance once more.
“It’s fairly clear that being the one one with a sure form of configuration, we needed to take a daring determination – which we took,” he stated throughout the German Grand Prix weekend.
“And we needed to transfer into this new engine configuration, for certain for 2027, and figuring out that for us it’s by some means a little bit of unknown work.
“The bikes are altering, the stability of the bike is altering. So, you could study issues.
“So, that is why we now have anticipated the hassle and possibly construct one bike for one 12 months as a result of we’re nonetheless undecided that we’ll race in ’26 with the brand new V4-based machine even when that is clearly the goal.
“We have to begin to accumulate new data and study a brand new configuration seeking to ’27, however probably for ’26.
“That is why we’re doing what we’re doing. It’s an extremely difficult but additionally thrilling second.
“We’ve tried to do as a lot as we are able to on the present bike to make it extra aggressive, and we now have already seen a transparent efficiency enhance.
“We’re creating a motorcycle for ’26 and we’re additionally in parallel engaged on the bike for ’27.
“It’s advanced, it’s thrilling, however it’s additionally wanted if we need to be again the place we need to be.”
Yamaha has been testing the V4 privately already this 12 months, however present suggestions is that it isn’t but quick sufficient to match the present inline-four.
