Yamaha: “Unrealistic” to think about V4 engine switch in 2025

Yamaha has conceded that introducing a brand new V4 engine on its bike earlier than the top of the 2025 MotoGP season is “unrealistic”.

Since Suzuki’s exit after 2012, Yamaha has been the one producer on the grid that continues to make use of an inline four-cylinder engine within the championship.

Though Yamaha has received six titles with this engine configuration for the reason that creation of the MotoGP period in 2002, the emergence of Ducati has led the competitors to experiment with routes that they didn’t take into account prior to now.

Yamaha lastly confirmed on the finish of final 12 months that it was in a sophisticated state with the event of a V4 motor, following an preliminary report by Autosport.

The Japanese model had beforehand not offered a timeline about its doable introduction, solely stating that “you would possibly see it on monitor in the course of 2025” if every little thing goes in accordance with plan.

Nonetheless, new Yamaha MotoGP chief Paolo Pavesio has now strongly indicated that the brand new V4 engine won’t be prepared for racing till no less than 2026, the ultimate season of the present 1000cc ruleset.

“Our purpose within the quick to medium time period is to complete races within the prime 5. And on the similar time, we’re growing the V4 undertaking. It is a whole bike, not simply an engine,” stated Pavesio.

“Now we have to get outcomes in the present day, whereas working for tomorrow. When the bike with the V4 engine is best than the one we use now, if it ever is, then we’ll introduce it.

“It’s unrealistic to consider making the change to V4 in 2025. Once we give that bike to the official riders, we now have to be satisfied that it’s at stage.”

The brand new V4 engine was anticipated to hit the monitor the primary time at Jerez in December, with Andrea Dovizioso being entrusted with the chance to check the bike.

Nonetheless, the take a look at was cancelled, and the facility unit was packed as soon as once more. It now seems the brand new engine received’t make its monitor debut till April.

Yamaha has ramped up its funding in MotoGP in latest months. Along with signing Pramac as a satellite tv for pc group with full manufacturing unit help, a gaggle inside its technical division is engaged on the event of the V4 engine.

Whereas Ducati, Aprilia and KTM may have their engines frozen by regulation in 2025 and ‘26, Yamaha – together with Honda – advantages from concessions and is free to develop it with none restrictions.