For several seasons, Yamaha has had difficulty remaining at the top of the MotoGP hierarchy. The development of a V4 engine is seen as a solution to regain lost competitiveness. Although convinced of the potential of the V4, Fabio Quartararo remains cautious and highlights the need to improve other aspects of the bike. Furthermore, the arrival of new engineers, notably Max Bartolini, demonstrates Yamaha's desire to question itself. The Frenchwoman takes stock during this winter break.
The summer announcement of Yamaha regarding the
development of a V4 engine for its M1 marked a significant turning point in the technical approach of the Japanese brand. While Yamaha did not win a race from the 2022 German Grand Prixthe introduction of this engine seems to be an attempt to close the gap with European brands like Ducati, Aprilia et KTM.
However, Fabio Quartararoundisputed leader of the official Iwata factory team, remains cautious about the immediate impact of this innovation. “ I think this is a phase that we have to go through, because we really know the potential is where the V4 is “, he explained in an interview relayed by crash.net. “ We see Ducati, Aprilia, KTM, and even Honda. There are things they do much better than us. But I didn't really bet everything on a new engine. »
Since the start of the four-stroke engine era in MotoGP,
Yamaha has always relied on an in-line four-cylinder engine, an architecture which is increasingly considered obsolete in the face of the domination of V4s.
Fabio Quartararo: « you'll have to see a lot of things, but it's not just the engine »
The development of the V4 at Yamaha could therefore be seen as an attempt to align with the competition, but Quarterly knows that this will not be enough to rectify the situation: “ we'll have to see a lot of things, but it's not just the engine.
There are still a lot of improvements to be made “, he stressed.
The renewal of Quarterly chez
Yamaha for 2025 and 2026 was not acquired. The French driver revealed that he had seriously considered leaving the team at the end of 2023, dissatisfied with the performance and lack of technical innovation from the Iwata brand.
« In September 2023, I was really considering changing brands “, he admitted. “ I asked for a lot of things: quality engineers, a large budget for aerodynamics and the engine, new people…
And they answered. »
Yamaha notably recruited
Max Bartoliniformer engineer at
Ducatiin an effort to revitalize its technical department. “ I had a fairly long interview with Max Bartolini. At Yamaha, there is a lack of staff like himbut they invested massively. This weighed in my decision to stay », explained Fabio Quartararo.
Despite the temptation to change teams, the Frenchman also took into account his history with
Yamaha. « The loyalty they showed me making me move to MotoGP at a time when I was a nobody played a big role in my decision “, he said.
While Yamaha is working on the possibility of introducing its V4 engine and reviewing its technical approach,
Quarterly hopes that this global strategy will bear fruit from the 2025 season. For him, the V4 engine is an element, but he knows that only a complete reshuffle of the team and a more aggressive approach to competition will allow Yamaha to become a serious competitor in MotoGP again.
