Yamaha’s V4 has hit the track ahead of the 2026 MotoGP season, but the team has already faced a number of issues.
Fabio Quatararo In the morning session, he crashed at Turn 5 at Sepang, breaking a finger and cutting his left hand. The French left in the afternoon Eight tenths faster is Marc Marquez..
After the first day, Quatararo announced that he would be out of the remaining tests due to an injury. Yamaha They investigated the V4 bike to find out the cause of the crash, but shockingly found no answers.
Another rider injured in a test – is this why we need to reduce bikes?
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Subsequently, the Iwata outfit suspended track activity until drivers could diagnose the problem with the engine. No Yamaha riders took part in the morning session on Wednesday and will not be taking to the streets in the afternoon.
Whether or not they will run on Thursday is unclear at this point, but what is clear is that this is a nightmare start to Yamaha’s 2026 campaign. It doesn’t help their case when there is talk about Quartararo’s future.
Max Bartolini admits it will be ‘very strange’ if Yamaha’s V4 is on the same level as its rivals in 2026.
The 2021 MotoGP champion has been frustrated by Yamaha’s lack of success in recent years. Heading into 2026, he’s asking the manufacturer to bring him a competitive bike, or he’ll be gone.
Quattroro pushed the V4 to come forward Development in 2025. However Yamaha admit they are ’15 years behind’. With the project, this is not what their star rider wants to hear.
It makes their problems in Malaysia all the more serious, and even when they are repaired, as Max Bartolini points out, they don’t seem optimistic about their chances. After the flag After the first day in Sepang.
How will Fabio Quatararo’s injury affect his season?
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“I hope we don’t struggle more than last year, but it could happen,” he said. “Because, of course, you’re fighting the same, let’s say weapon, against people who have had the same weapon for 20 years.
“So it’s going to be a challenge and I expect us to fight, if you think about it, if we get there and we’re at the same level of speed as the others, it’s going to be very, very surprising and weird. Well, we’re very lucky, but it’s going to be amazing.”
According to reports, Quatararo will join Honda in 2027, signing a two-year contract. He didn’t give the Yamaha V4 a chance to prove itself, but judging by Bartolini’s comments and the trouble at Sepang, it’s no surprise that the Frenchman eventually lost patience.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Fabio Quatararo from net worth to career statistics
Will Fabio Quatararo regret joining Honda?
Yamaha’s problems with the V4 are serious, and it will be of no use to Quattararo to miss the rest of the Sepang test. Even if they can get back on track for the third day, they will be out of their strong rider.
Naturally, 2026 will be a learning year for the Iwata outfit as they develop the bike throughout the season. But Quattro made it clear that he has no time to wait and wants to be a competitor now, so why he decided to go to Honda.
But Quattararo has been told he may regret leaving Yamaha.According to Ramon Forcada, the bike can give him a mid-season upgrade and a sudden change of heart.
Likewise Hondas The machine may not be able to win races and fight to the front. But they are definitely better off than their Japanese rivals right now.
