The Start of a New Era: Yamaha Unveil V4-Powered YZR-M1 in Misano
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. unveiled its V4-powered YZR-M1 today in Misano. The presentation of the prototype so early in the 2025 season underlines Yamaha’s bold new approach to bike development.
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. unveiled its V4-powered YZR-M1 today in Misano. The presentation of the prototype so early in the 2025 season underlines Yamaha’s bold new approach to bike development.
The V4 prototype will be seen in action around the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli this weekend, piloted by Yamaha Factory Racing Test Team’s Augusto Fernández, who enters the Grand Prix of San Marino as a wild card. Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins will also have a chance to ride the new prototype again, this time in public during Monday’s San Marino MotoGP Test.
The highly anticipated Yamaha V4-powered prototype unveiling event took place today inside the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP hospitality at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. Yamaha’s management proudly presented the brand-new bike, designed to suit the V4 engine.
The introduction of the prototype at only Round 16 of the MotoGP World Championship reflects Yamaha’s long-term commitment to advancing motorcycle innovation and their new ‘more aggressive approach’ to bike development.
Yamaha Motor Company’s General Manager of Motor Sports Development Division Takahiro Sumi, Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Paolo Pavesio, Project Leader Kazuhiro Masuda, and Technical Director Max Bartolini shared their excitement to start this new chapter, discussing Yamaha’s dedication towards the V4 engine and bike development, the new Yamaha structure and mindset in 2025, and the preparations for 2026.
Test Rider and Rider Performance Advisor Andrea Dovizioso and Official MotoGP Test Rider for the Yamaha Factory Racing Team Augusto Fernández were also put in the spotlight as major contributors to the V4 project. Through their expertise and precision, the two riders have shown themselves to be a cohesive and highly effective team, providing valuable support to the collaborative efforts of Yamaha’s test riders, engineers, and the full-time MotoGP teams and riders.
The unveiling event included a first view of Fernández’s bike, sporting a full-blue Yamaha corporate livery.
Fernández will be riding the V4-powered prototype as a wild card during the San Marino GP, allowing MotoGP enthusiasts the world over to see the brand-new prototype in action for the very first time.
Fernández, who announced he has recently signed on as an Official Test Rider for Yamaha in 2026-2027, has already ridden the new bike in various private Yamaha tests, one of them held at the Misano track.
With the upcoming wild-card entry for the Grand Prix of San Marino, Yamaha aims to have Fernández try the prototype bike in a MotoGP race-weekend setting.
The sole purpose of the wild card is data gathering. No bike development decisions will be based on this weekend’s results.
MotoGP media and fans will also be able to get a first glimpse of Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins in action aboard the new bike on Monday 15th during the San Marino MotoGP Test.
TAKAHIRO SUMI
General Manager, Motor Sports Development Division
“We have taken on an ambitious project developing a new V4 engine and a whole new bike, and it is particularly demanding when done simultaneously with the 2025 bike development. Such a challenge comes with high stakes and pressure: it’s the type of project that can only be done right when it’s not just a ‘team effort’ but a ‘company effort’, and all involved have to give it 100%.
“From the start of the V4 project there were many questions to be answered, and we are still in the development stage, but one thing is for certain: our goal is to return Yamaha to winning ways with an evidence‑based approach. The V4‑powered prototype reflects one integrated project where Japan and Europe share responsibilities and expertise. Thanks to the hard work of Project Leader Kazuhiro Masuda, Technical Director Max Bartolini, the Yamaha engineers, the Yamaha Factory Racing Test Team, the test riders, the technical partners, and all others who contributed, we are able to take strategic steps and make progress.
“We thank the fans for their never-failing support, and we hope that they will continue to show interest in our journey back to the pinnacle of motorcycle road racing. Exploration is part of Yamaha’s DNA. The V4‑powered prototype opens an additional technical pathway. We will race what proves most competitive.”
PAOLO PAVESIO
Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing
“The development of the V4-powered prototype is the result of a collaborative effort between Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (YMC) in Japan, Yamaha Motor Racing (YMR) in Europe, and a select group of technical partners, alongside the Yamaha Factory Racing Test Team.
“The track will ultimately determine whether we have achieved our goals, but I’m already proud of the challenging spirit we’ve embraced in reshaping how we work: faster, more agile, and more open to leveraging our global assets, both organizationally and technically.
“Within this renewed approach, signing Andrea and Augusto last year was a pivotal moment in bringing Plan V to life. Given its scope, the upcoming 850cc project, and the change in tyre supplier, having two test riders was essential. Their complementary strengths were also a key consideration: Andrea brings a development discipline that aligns perfectly with our pursuit of high-quality feedback. His decades at the top of MotoGP and deep technical expertise make him an invaluable asset. Augusto, meanwhile, has seamlessly complemented Andrea’s work, especially through his contributions in tests and wild-card entries. As a recent full-time MotoGP rider still in peak form, he’s instrumental in pushing the limits of our new V4 engine and prototype bike. These stress tests not only yield critical data but also offer a clear view of our competitive reality.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Cal Crutchlow for his work as a Test Rider over the past years. Although he has not been involved in the V4 project, we remain deeply grateful for his longstanding contributions to Yamaha‘s bike development.
“Looking ahead, we’re thrilled that both Andrea and Augusto have chosen to continue their journey with us into 2026 and 2027, remaining key figures in the evolution of the V4 project. This weekend’s wild-card entry marks an exciting new chapter, one we believe will capture the attention of MotoGP fans.”
KAZUHIRO MASUDA
Yamaha YZR-M1 Project Leader
“The development of the V4-equipped prototype has progressed according to a structured, phased plan. Thus far, we have completed dyno testing, followed by track correlation, and this weekend we are conducting ‘stress tests’ under real-life GP conditions.
“As for the next steps: this Monday we’ll have the IRTA test with Fabio and Álex, aimed at expanding our data set. We are unable to disclose details regarding private test sessions, but we remain fully committed to the programme and are approaching each phase with the utmost diligence.
“We are applying a comprehensive and disciplined approach, ensuring no aspect is overlooked. At this stage, I’m pleased to report that the progress is in line with our expectations. If all goes well this weekend and on Monday, subsequent steps include further testing at Sepang and Valencia.”
MASSIMO BARTOLINI
Technical Director, Yamaha Factory Racing
“Our team has designed a coherent package: power delivery, chassis balance, and aerodynamics tuned as a system. This weekend’s focus is not on performance benchmarks, but on operational learning under real-world MotoGP Grand Prix conditions.
“Our key objectives are to validate core assumptions, gather high-quality data, and inform the next phase of iteration. While the long-term ambition remains a competitive V4 platform for the 2026 season, any final commitment will be based on an evaluation of outcomes at the end of the 2025 programme.
“This initiative is a strategic approach to broaden our technical options and accelerate our learning curve to ensure we make the most informed decision for our future in MotoGP racing.”
ANDREA DOVIZIOSO
Test Rider & Riders Performance Advisor
“Since the very first outing in Malaysia, the project has given me very positive feelings. From the moment I tried the V4-powered prototype, I liked it straight away. With every run the feeling has improved, and I’ve always sensed great potential. Of course, there is still work to be done, but the indications so far are very encouraging. I believe we’ve made excellent progress, and I’m really enjoying this role as a test rider. I’m working very well with the Yamaha engineers, we’re building a strong relationship and gaining a deeper understanding step by step.
“I’m also very pleased with the relationship I have with Augusto. We’re working extremely well together, we share very similar feedback, and it’s both satisfying and enjoyable to collaborate with him. I really look forward to seeing him race on the new bike.”
AUGUSTO FERNÁNDEZ
Yamaha Factory Racing Test Rider
“I’m really excited to race with the new bike. It’s an honour to be involved in such a big project for Yamaha and to be the first one to race the new bike! It will be a weekend during which we focus on improving our V4-powered prototype and define its strengths and weaknesses whilst riding with the rest of the MotoGP riders, in real time, in a race setting. So, it will be an important weekend – we get to see where we stand – so I’m really excited for this GP and can’t wait to start.”
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