Yamaha ‘can’t imagine’ V4 MotoGP engine switch, ‘enormous task’

Suzuki’s withdraw leaves Yamaha as the only MotoGP manufacturer using an Inline4 engine configuration, rather than a V4.
Fabio Quartararo, Sepang MotoGP test, 10 February
Fabio Quartararo, Sepang MotoGP test, 10 February

Although improving straight-line performance is one of Yamaha’s top priorities for 2023, with ex-F1 engine designer Luca Marmorini hired to help extract more speed from the M1, a V4 switch wasn’t aꦑn option.

At least for now.

"I can't imagine that," Yamaha Racing managing director Lin Jarvis told . “Because it is an enormous task to design, develop and produce a 1000cc💟 V4 engine for the MotoGP World Championship from🐟 scratch.

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“If we planned that for the new regulation💦s for the five years from 2027 to 2031, it might make sense.

“But we haven't decided yet which direction we're going to ⭕go because the technical regulations aren't fixed yet. [The future rules] should be decided in 2023, after which we🅘 have four years to develop it.

“Then, with the new technology, we have the same opportunity for a new MotoGP engine as any other🎉 manufacturer."

Yamaha’s 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo and team-mate Franco Morbidelli were impressed by the upgraded engine at la𒀰st month’s Sepang test, selecting a final version for the upcoming season.

“We are ꦗconvinced that we will still find large development capacities with our Inline4," Jarvis said.

"Now I always hear: 'S🌸uzuki is gone, Yamaha is the only factory with an inline engine'. I'm happy to reply: 'Yes, w🐼e are the only ones with this advantage!'"

Inline4 engines f✅inꦬished first and second in the 2020 MotoGP World Championship with Joan Mir (Suzuki) and Morbidelli (Yamaha), then won the 2021 title and finished runner-up in 2022 with Quartararo.

Quartararo took three wins last season, with Suzuki’s Alex Rins 🍒claiming two more victories for the Inline4. V4 victories were divided into 12 for Ducati, 2 for KTM and 1 for 𒁃Aprilia.

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