🚨 Sepang Shock: Fabio Quartararo bluntly admits Yamaha’s all-new V4 engine is still “super far” behind its rivals — “We still have a lot of work to do if we want to win” — before being forced to leave the MotoGP test early due to injury, raising major alarm bells for the upcoming season

The MotoGP paddock was left reeling after a dramatic and deeply concerning turn of events involving Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha during the Sepang pre-season test. What was supposed to be a crucial development milestone for the Japanese manufacturer instead turned into a moment of трев alarm, as their star rider delivered a brutally honest assessment of the team’s long-awaited V4 engine project before his track time was cut short by injury.

Quartararo, the 2021 MotoGP World Champion and Yamaha’s leading figure in recent seasons, did not hold back when asked about the performance gap between Yamaha and its European rivals. Speaking to media after an initial evaluation run, the Frenchman admitted that the new V4 prototype — a radical shift from Yamaha’s traditional inline-four philosophy — was still far from competitive.

“We are super far from the others,” Quartararo said candidly. “We still have a lot of work to do if we want to win.”

His remarks quickly spread across the MotoGP world, igniting intense discussion among analysts, fans, and rival teams. For years, Yamaha has relied on the smooth handling characteristics of its inline-four engine, but as Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia surged ahead with powerful V4 packages, pressure mounted on Yamaha to modernize its approach.

The Sepang test was therefore viewed as a defining checkpoint — perhaps the first real glimpse of Yamaha’s future competitiveness.

Instead, Quartararo’s words suggested the project remains in its infancy.

According to sources within the paddock, early data from the V4 machine highlighted gains in straight-line speed but exposed significant weaknesses in rideability, corner exit traction, and overall balance — areas where Yamaha traditionally excelled. Transitioning to a new engine architecture has required rethinking chassis dynamics, electronics mapping, and weight distribution.

For a rider like Quartararo, whose riding style depends heavily on corner speed and front-end confidence, the adaptation has not been seamless.

“The potential is there,” he reportedly explained. “But right now, it’s not ready to fight at the front.”

If the technical concerns were not troubling enough, Yamaha’s situation worsened when Quartararo’s test program ended prematurely following a crash that resulted in a minor injury. While initial medical reports indicated the injury was not severe, the decision was made to withdraw him from the remainder of the Sepang sessions as a precaution.

The early exit deprived Yamaha of valuable feedback at a time when every lap of development data is critical.

Team engineers had planned an intensive comparative testing schedule between the inline-four race bike and the V4 prototype, using Quartararo’s input to refine engine delivery and chassis geometry. Losing that track time has inevitably slowed progress.

Yamaha team management attempted to downplay the severity of the setback, emphasizing that pre-season testing is designed precisely to identify weaknesses.

“This is why we test,” a senior team figure stated. “We are exploring new directions, and that takes time.”

However, within the ultra-competitive MotoGP environment, time is a luxury few manufacturers can afford.

Ducati continues to set the performance benchmark, boasting not only race wins but also unmatched depth across satellite teams. KTM has made major aerodynamic and engine gains, while Aprilia’s RS-GP package has evolved into a consistent podium contender.

Against that backdrop, Yamaha’s rebuild appears steep.

Quartararo’s frankness also reflects growing pressure on his own future. Despite remaining loyal to Yamaha through difficult seasons, he has repeatedly called for technical improvements capable of delivering championship-level performance.

His latest comments, though measured, underline a familiar frustration.

“We are working hard, but the gap is big,” he noted. “We cannot close it overnight.”

Paddock insiders believe Yamaha’s V4 project is part of a long-term reset rather than an immediate solution. Engine reliability, fuel consumption optimization, and seamless electronics integration remain under development. Moreover, switching engine philosophy impacts supplier relationships and component design pipelines — from exhaust systems to gearbox ratios.

In other words, the V4 is not simply a new engine — it is a structural transformation of Yamaha’s MotoGP identity.

Rival riders reacted with cautious interest to the developments. Some acknowledged that Yamaha’s decision to pursue a V4 was inevitable, given the current competitive landscape. Others suggested the transition period could leave the team vulnerable in the short term.

One MotoGP rider commented anonymously: “If they get it right, they’ll be strong again. But it won’t happen immediately.”

For Quartararo, recovery from injury is now the immediate priority. Medical staff expect him to be fit for upcoming tests, though Yamaha will likely manage his workload carefully to avoid aggravating the issue.

His physical condition, combined with the technical uncertainties, places added weight on the next pre-season sessions. Every lap he completes will shape the direction of Yamaha’s 2026 campaign.

Fans, meanwhile, remain divided between concern and optimism. Some view the V4 shift as overdue and necessary for Yamaha’s long-term survival at the front of MotoGP. Others fear the team may have sacrificed its traditional strengths without yet gaining the raw performance needed to challenge Ducati and KTM.

What is certain is that Quartararo’s honesty has injected urgency into the narrative.

Rather than offering diplomatic reassurance, he chose transparency — acknowledging both the promise and the present shortcomings of Yamaha’s bold new project.

As the MotoGP season approaches, the spotlight will remain firmly fixed on Yamaha’s progress. Can the V4 evolve quickly enough to restore competitiveness? Will Quartararo’s faith in the project hold? And how will rivals respond if Yamaha begins to close the gap?

For now, Sepang has delivered more questions than answers — along with a stark warning from one of the sport’s most respected champions that Yamaha’s road back to the top may be longer, and more complex, than many had hoped.