Yamaha unveiled the new MotoGP livery in Jakarta on Wednesday. It was a particularly significant start, completing the transition from an inline-four bike to a V4.
Satellite team Pramac held its debut and factory-supported drive last week. Toprak Razgatlioglu The official team was present at the scene removing the covers.
The Yamaha livery is largely the same as last season, and the factory line-up remains the same, but 2026 still marks the start of a new era.
Is Yamaha’s new MotoGP livery a hit or a miss?
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Challenger rider Augusto Fernandez debuted the V4 in Wildcard outings last season, and all the full-time riders have tested it. Reviews were mixed, but expectations improved significantly over the winter.
Yamaha faces ‘long’ road with V4, says Fabio Quattararo
Message from Yamaha The figures on the Indonesian stage were clear: fans must be patient. Managing Director Paolo Pavesio He expects a steep improvement curve, but cautions there will be no ‘magic’ breakthrough.
Previously, Yamaha has indicated that they give priority to development For the first season before focusing more on the results of the second.
“There is no magic in this sport,” Pavesio said. “Fundamentally, it’s a mechanical sport where you have to accept that there is a journey back (up).
We believe we have a package that will give us more potential to improve during the season and we expect to learn quickly once we start racing.
Complete the sentence: In 2027, the Yamaha Rider Rally will be…
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“I can’t tell you if it will be the first half or the first race, but we are eager to learn the machine and we believe that the new M1 will show its potential growing and growing all season.”
Fernandez was off the pace during his wildcard exit, however Quatararo Yamaha’s V4 bike is hoping to be faster than its predecessor. He even admits that the project is still in its infancy.
“We know we started last year, so it’s going to be a long process,” he said. “It’s important to find our direction (in Sepang) and we hope to be faster than last year.
“The project is very new, so there is a margin for improvement everywhere. This is what Alex and I expect, improvement everywhere, turning, engine power – this is the most important thing.”
Yamaha’s technical director ‘We are starting from zero
Finally, Yamaha technical director Massimo Meregalli He stressed that the team will start ‘from scratch’ this year. Progress during the season will be ‘gradual’.
“We are almost starting from scratch,” he said. “Maybe I will split the season in parts – the first one where we try to adapt to the new bike, the learning process.
“And in the second, we expect Fabio and Alex to gradually improve their results. We know we have a lot of work ahead of us!”
It’s unclear how patient Quatararo will be. He made it clear last season that he was tired of waiting for a winning bike, but he is very likely to end his drought in 2026.
There are also comments. Quatararo has decided to leave Yamaha Between relationships with Ducati, Honda and Aprilia.
Razgatlioglu could become Yamaha’s franchise rider if Quatararo leaves.But he can expect his rookie season to be a tumultuous one. In fact, until summer vacation, it can feel like an extended challenge.
