Max Bartolini says changing the Yamaha 2026 to a V4 MotoGP engine seems ‘crazy’

The Japanese manufacturer decided to join other manufacturers with a V4 engine on the MotoGP grid, but they found themselves behind their competitors.

Despite only a year away from the 1000cc engines in MotoGP, Yamaha has defended its decision to switch to a V4 when it seems strange.

Will Yamaha return to winning ways in 2026 with a V4 engine?

Yamaha cites the ‘crazy’ decision to switch to a V4 engine

In an interview with Speed ​​weekYamaha technical director Max Bartolini discusses the ‘crazy’ decision to switch to a V4 engine.

Realizing that the 850cc V4 and 1000cc V4 are ‘very similar’, the Italian addressed the situation as he believed a year with the 1000cc V4 would benefit Yamaha.

Yamaha will be hoping that a year with the V4 engine will give them experience building the M1 around the new configuration.

“The 850 is in many ways the brother of the current engine,” Bartolini said.

“From the outside, it seems crazy to build a 1000cc V engine for just one year. But this gives us a chance to understand this engine and build the right bike for it.”

The Yamaha V4 did not make any progress during the winter break

The Yamaha V4 raced in the woods in the second half of the 2025 season with test rider Augusto Fernandez’s engine configuration.

The Spaniard was struggling for race pace during his time with the V4 in the M1, finishing the race between 40 and 50 seconds behind the winner.

This theme continues in 2026 V4, as does Buriram’s challenge. The data suggests that the race for Yama will put them 40 to 50 seconds behind the leaders..

As well as struggling with race pace, the Yamaha rider is battling for lap pace as he heads into Q2 at the Thai Grand Prix on Friday.