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 because the introduction of the MotoGP period in 2002, the emergence of Ducati has led the competitors to experiment with routes that they didn’t think about prior to now.

Yamaha lastly confirmed on the finish of final yr that it was in a complicated 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 may see it on observe in the course of 2025” if every part goes in keeping with plan.

Nevertheless, new Yamaha MotoGP chief Paolo Pavesio has now strongly indicated that the brand new V4 engine is not going to be prepared for racing till a minimum of 2026, the ultimate season of the present 1000cc ruleset.

“Our purpose within the brief to medium time period is to complete races within the high 5. And on the identical time, we’re creating the V4 undertaking. It is a complete bike, not simply an engine,” stated Pavesio.

“We’ve got to get outcomes at the moment, whereas working for tomorrow. When the bike with the V4 engine is healthier 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. After we give that bike to the official riders, now we have to be satisfied that it’s at a superb stage.”

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

Nevertheless, 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 observe debut till April.

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

Whereas Ducati, Aprilia and KTM can 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.