After a complicated 2024 season where Yamaha finished second to last in the Constructors' Championship, Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha's sporting director, spoke about the plans and new initiatives for next season.
Massimo Meregallisports director of
Yamahaspoke about the challenges and hopes that await the Japanese brand in MotoGP for the 2025 season. After a disappointing year 2024, Yamaha finished second last in the constructors' championship, marking one of its worst performances in recent history. However, next season promises to be a year of renewal, with ambitious plans and cautious optimism.
In an interview with GPOne, Massimo Seagull raised several key points for the future of
Yamaha. Despite the difficulties, he welcomes the progress made: the launch of the project V4 enginethe arrival of
Max Bartolini as new technical director, and the creation of a satellite team
in partnership with Pramac. These initiatives aim to reverse the trend and replace Yamaha among the leaders of MotoGP.
« We achieved some important goals this year. We have retained Fabio Quartararoset up a second team and launched the development of the V4 engine “, explain Seagull.
Massimo Meregalli: « we lack data on this future 2027 motorcycle, such as weight balance. It's a completely different project »
Asked about the development of the new engine, he remains cautious: “ we haven't covered any miles with the V4 yet, not even in the test room. It is therefore impossible to know if we will be able to use it from 2025. It's too early to set specific goals. » He nevertheless said: “ I'm not saying that we will race in the next two years with the in-line 4-cylinder,
but that in 2025, it would not be realistic to use it. Any goal would be unrealistic at the moment, we still have to do all the engine tests, it's too early »
He also highlighted that the 2027 regulations, which will introduce engines of 850 ccrepresents an even greater challenge: “ we lack data on this future motorcycle, such as weight balance. It's a completely different project. »
The loyalty of Fabio Quartararodespite the poor performance, is seen as a strong signal.
Seagull attributes this to the sincerity of
Yamaha and the concrete changes made: “ we did what we promised: a new engine, a satellite team, and Fabio saw our commitment. »
As for the new Pramac structure, which will accommodate
Miguel Oliveira et Jack Millerhe is enthusiastic: “ it is an extremely professional team, with a lot of experience. Their integration into the project brings new energy. »
Seagull also mentioned the profiles of the new pilots: “ Miguel Oliveira
seems well suited to the M1, while Jack
Miller will probably have to adjust his style. But their first feedback during the tests was positive. »
Finally, the arrival ofAugusto Fernandez as a test pilot is seen as a strategic opportunity. Although he prefers to run a full season, he will participate in
six races in 2025 as a wildcard. “
We will divide the tasks between him and Cal Crutchlow, so
to optimize development in Europe and Japan. »
Yamaha is banking on an ambitious restructuring to return to the top. The first attempts at
Sepangplanned between January 31 and February 7will be a crucial indicator of progress made. The brand hopes to turn these initiatives into concrete results for next season and beyond.
