Marco Bezzecchi
Yamaha are now storming ahead with their plans to implement the V4 engine on their M1 bike as soon as possible.
Augusto Fernandez ran the engine at the San Marino Grand Prix for the first time, finishing 14th and scoring points on its debut. Yamaha have teased its introduction for months, but it didn’t set the track alight last weekend.
It’s essential that the team makes the V4 work, otherwise, they’ll be in for a tough 12 months before the new MotoGP rules are introduced. Fabio Quartararo won’t be patient forever, and retaining the experienced Jack Miller should be a significant coup.
Miller was slapped with a MotoGP fine for giving his gloves to a fan a day before conducting a test on the V4 in Misano. After months of speculation, Miller was saved from losing his seat due to his standing in the championship, which is far better than teammate Miguel Oliveira.
READ MORE: MotoGP fans all notice the same thing after Yamaha unveil their V4-engined bike at Misano
Fabio Quartararo says Jack Miller’s thoughts on the V4 are the same as Augusto Fernandez after Misano
Miller’s colleague and friend Quartararo ‘always’ worries riding Yamaha’s bike and has suffered a bit of a dip in form recently. The Frenchman has gone 11 races without featuring on the podium, and has been on the rostrum just once this year, despite having four pole positions.
The 2027 regulations are going to create big changes in the MotoGP rider market, with many top-tier figures set to be out of contract. One of the key players in the market will be Quartararo, particularly if Yamaha’s V4 fails to bring much change.
Speaking about his teammate’s feelings on the new engine, he mentioned to Motosan how both Miller and Fernandez feel the same.
“I won’t answer about the potential. The comments from Augusto Fernández and Jack Miller are the same, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good thing,” he said.
“The comments we give each other are the same. I don’t think we can say if we’re happy or not, but we have a lot of work to do. In Barcelona, we were a little better. Here, we have more problems.
“It’s a circuit with many more changes of direction, but this test was quite complicated. We’re far away. I don’t want to say exactly, but we’re not ready.”
READ MORE: Ducati rivals are now ‘incredibly interested’ in signing Fabio Quartararo from Yamaha for 2027
How Fabio Quartararo feels about having Jack Miller on a Yamaha bike in 2026
Quartararo thinks re-signing Miller gives Yamaha a big advantage and has backed him to help them improve their electronics. It’s part of the championship that he has always excelled at.
In his second year with the Japanese manufacturer’s machinery, he should be in a better position to kick on and start delivering some strong results.
His best finish of fifth this year came in mixed conditions at COTA, but he could have won at Le Mans without crashing out in the wet.
With six races left this year, he’ll be fully focused on the V4 engine and building some momentum for next year, which is crucial for his career.
2026 could be Miller’s last chance to keep himself in the sport, and if he performs poorly, then the World Superbike Championship may be beckoning.
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