Early reviews of Yamaha’s V4-powered bike in the Japanese builder’s ranks have been both good and bad, and Marco Melandri isn’t sure who to believe.
Yamaha The answer to the recent woes in MotoGP has come in the form of a new engine layout. The M1 features a V4 engine for the first time since the end of the two-stroke era in 2002.
The Japanese builder unveiled the new version of their bike at the 2025 San Marino GP, a test rider said. Augusto Fernandez took part in the weekend race as a sign entry.
The Spanish timepiece was crucial to Yamaha’s development efforts, and was reused in Malaysia and Valencia to better determine where their focus needed to be.
Andrea Dovizioso He was a vital member of the development team during Yamaha’s new venture and has greatly supported the engineers’ efforts so far.
on the other hand, Fabio Quatararo He was heavily critical of the new M1 following the bike’s first tests, leading one former rider to question who was telling the truth.
Which bike will Fabio Quatararo ride in 2027?
Join the debate; Share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to make a comment
Marco Melandri explains why he thinks Yamaha is confusing their 2026 MotoGP bike
During the interview with GPONFormer MotoGP rider Marco Melandri has been asked to comment on Quattararo’s departure from the Japanese manufacturer at the end of the upcoming season.
In the year The 2002 250cc world champion replied: “From the way you talk and the situation, Fabio can go, but let’s wait and see what happens. But I have some questions.”
When asked to clarify the questions, Melandri said, “I think it will not be easy for Fabio to repeat what he did in the inline four with the V4.”
“I’m mainly talking about the importance of getting the right set-up and the right balance of the bike. For many years he’s used the inline four, and I don’t see this jump as easy.”
“Another thing: it seems to me that all the Yamaha riders are complaining about the new bike. From the statements they gave, I didn’t see them being completely enthusiastic about the new M1, and on the track, I expected more in terms of the engine.
“So I wonder if Yamaha is fading or not. I say that because I think the riders’ frustrations contrast with Dovizioso’s comments, so I think he’s bright and optimistic.”
“That said, I prefer to believe Andrea, because he’s working on the bike and has the whole situation under control.”
The contrasting statements between Andrea Dovizioso and Fabio Quatararo
Yamaha are ‘extremely happy’ with the direction. According to information collected by Jorge Lorenzo from Dovizioso, their V4-powered bike.
The Italian was one of the first members of the Japanese constructor to ride the new configuration during a private test in Barcelona.
Dovizioso’s 22 years of Grand Prix motorcycle racing experience helped the engineers tailor the bike to their riders’ riding style.
However, their star rider was none too pleased with the new machinery. The Frenchman was one of the first to get Yamaha to make the Switch, and the feedback so far has been all positive.
Yama’s new son Toprak Razgatlioglu, disagreed with Qatartaro’s assessment. of the bike, stressing that the impression he gets from the new M1 is ‘nothing but negative’.
According to a recent report. Yamaha doesn’t listen to Quattro Tarot instructions anymore. When it comes to development, you chose to take input from Dovizioso and Fernandez instead.
