Yamaha will absolutely love the ‘forfeit’ Jack Miller is considering as Fabio Quartararo tests V4 engine

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Yamaha are at a crossroads for the final seven races of 2025 as they prepare for an exciting new project in 2026.

The Japanese outfit have confirmed their rider line-up for 2026, with Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins keeping their seats at the factory team. There were reports that Jack Miller could replace Rins for 2026, but the Spaniard will stay for another year.

Miller will keep his seat at Pramac for next season and partner with Toprak Razgatlioglu after months of speculation. He beat Miguel Oliveira for the spot on the grid, with Yamaha terminating the Portuguese rider’s contract through a performance clause.

Yamaha are bottom of the standings after 15 rounds in 2025. While they have dramatically improved from 2024, the Iwata outfit are still struggling to compete at the front consistently on the YZR-M1.

Quartararo grabbed the manufacturer their only podium thus far at Jerez, while Rins, Miller and Oliveira have struggled to find top results. But Yamaha have every reason to be excited about their V4 engine as they ramp up its development.

Jack Miller could ‘forfeit’ results to gather data on the V4 bike amid Fabio Quartararo’s Barcelona test

It was believed that the V4 would not be introduced until 2026. However, Quartararo’s ‘defeated’ body language prompted the team to push it forward, with Augusto Fernandez set to run it as a wildcard entry at Misano.

The Yamaha riders tested the V4 bike at Montmelo on Monday after the Catalan Grand Prix, where Quartararo finished an impressive fifth. The 2021 MotoGP champion hopes it will bring the manufacturer back to the front of the grid.

Miller has heard ‘good things’ about Yamaha’s V4, believing that the project is on the right path. The Aussie has been so encouraged by its progress that he could be prepared to make a sacrifice that Yamaha would absolutely love.

Journalist Mat Oxley posted on X (formerly Twitter) that one of the four Yamaha riders could run with the V4 at the Japanese Grand Prix if things went well in Barcelona and Misano. “I think there’s a possibility of a full time rider using the bike at Motegi,” he wrote.

Fellow journalist Simon Patterson then responded with what Miller had suggested at the Catalan GP: “Jack hinted at the weekend that if testing goes well, he’s ready to make the switch, forfeit results, and start gathering data.”

With Miller sitting 17th in the standings, Yamaha will not miss out on a lot if the 30-year-old were to give up on scoring points in 2025. The development of the V4 is a top priority, as the Aussie will give the manufacturer the data they desperately need ahead of the 2026 season.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Jack Miller from net worth to wife

Jack Miller could put himself in the shop window for a factory Yamaha seat in 2027 with V4 testing

Yamaha have been nothing but positive about Miller and his technical feedback in 2025. He has been a huge help for the Iwata outfit behind the scenes, which ultimately saw him retain his seat at Pramac for 2026.

The Aussie is the perfect rider to test the V4 at the end of 2025 with his experience. Yamaha have to ensure that the bike is competitive, or it could have damaging consequences.

Quartararo has threatened to leave Yamaha if the new machine is not competitive after the first two or three races of the season. That heightens the importance of Miller testing the bike in 2025, as they cannot afford to lose their star rider.

It could also greatly benefit the 30-year-old in the future. Rins’ departure from Yamaha in 2027 is a formality at this point; Miller could put his name in the hat for a seat if he can continue to impress with development behind the scenes.