Yamaha is advancing its development of a new V4 engine for its MotoGP bike. While Yamaha has not officially announced any changes to its current inline four-cylinder engine, hints have been dropped by team riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins. Quartararo even recently mentioned, "Yamaha must consider all engine concepts," but offered no further details. However, it is rumored that the V4 project is progressing rapidly at this moment.

Yamaha brought in Luca Marmorini as an external consultant a few years ago. Marmorini, who has a background in Formula 1 with Ferrari, played a key role in enhancing Aprilia's MotoGP engine. Since joining Yamaha in 2022, Marmorini has suggested a shift from the inline four-cylinder engine to a V4 configuration. Yamaha, which previously used a V4 in the 1980s, is now the only manufacturer still using an inline-four engine. Yamaha aims to debut a 1000cc V4 before the mandatory 850cc engine regulations take effect in 2027. Since the start of the year, Quartararo and Rins have been testing various engine specifications under the concession system, but the results have been mixed.

Yamaha is undergoing a transformation under new technical director Max Bartolini, who joined from Ducati earlier this year. The main goal is to restore the competitiveness of their bike, which won the championship in 2021 with Quartararo.

In addition to a new satellite team agreement with Pramac for 2025, Yamaha is looking to secure Augusto Fernandez as a test rider to replace Cal Crutchlow. Andrea Dovizioso, who recently stepped in, might also join the project to help revitalize the M1’s competitiveness.