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Yamaha Confirms V4 M1 for 2026 as Inline-Four Era Ends at Valencia

Valencia testing now serves as the yardstick for a still‑detuned V4 before 850cc rules arrive in 2027.

Overview

  • Yamaha said all four 2026 riders — Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jack Miller — will ride the V4-spec M1 in Tuesday’s post‑season test.
  • The prototype has not been run at full power and is currently down the speed traps, with development focused on acceleration, braking behavior and aero/tyre adaptation.
  • Wildcard outings for Augusto Fernandez at Misano, Sepang and Valencia produced 14th, 18th and 16th, with persistent front‑end confidence issues despite a new frame in Spain.
  • Quartararo, unconvinced by the V4’s current pace, says he needs performance comparable to the outgoing bike and warns “I have no time” as he weighs his 2027 decision.
  • Yamaha confirmed Valencia was the inline‑four’s final race, and the new 1000cc V4 will race only in 2026 before MotoGP mandates 850cc engines in 2027.