Marco Bezzecchi
Jack Miller spent a number of years within the Ducati stable between 2018 and 2022 and has revealed how close the constructor came to building an inline-four-powered bike amid Yamaha’s switch to the superior V4 layout.
Augusto Fernandez debuted the V4 at the San Marino Grand Prix as a wildcard rider for Pramac, where he finished 14th, just over a minute off the pace of the victorious Marc Marquez.
Yamaha risks a disqualification if one of their full-time riders enters the new M1 into a race, hence the need for a wildcard rider to test the waters before it is used properly in 2026.
The Japanese constructor has a list of issues it needs to iron out on the bike ahead of the start of the new campaign, with Fernandez outlining the issues he faced atop the V4 bike at Misano.
READ MORE: Fabio Quartararo shares Jack Miller’s true feelings about Yamaha’s new V4 engine after Misano test
Jack Miller has revealed that MotoGP’s regulations turned Ducati away from building an inline-four bike in 2015
Upon Yamaha unveiling the new M1 at Misano over the weekend, MotoGP fans noticed a stark similarity between it and Ducati’s GP25.
The Italian constructors’ factory spec bike is currently the most dominant on the grid, having won 26 of the 32 races held so far in the current campaign.
However, following the conclusion of the final in-season test of the 2025 season, Jack Miller spoke to journalists about the state of the new M1 in its current form, whilst revealing that Ducati had plans previously to build a similar bike to the one Yamaha is getting ready to walk away from.
Via GPOne, the Australian was asked if braking is one of the issues that has been ironed out with the new spec, replying, “Absolutely, along with traction.
“With the current M1, we lack inertia. Again, it’s all related to the tires. In 2015/2016, Ducati had thought of doing an inline-four engine to catch Yamaha.
“The regulations then pushed the bikes in the current direction. The bike brakes very well in terms of engine braking.”
There is no doubt that we would be experiencing a completely different MotoGP nowadays if Ducati’s plans had come to fruition.
The Borgo Panigale-based racing outfit has won all of the last six constructors’ championships, something that would not have been possible atop an inline-four bike.
READ MORE: Jack Miller delivers his honest verdict on Yamaha’s V4 engine after the Misano test
Fabio Quartararo has been vocal in his frustrations with Yamaha in 2025
Quartararo may have been the one to save Miller’s seat at Yamaha for the upcoming 2026 season after making it clear that the Australian is the only rider in the stable with prior experience of a V4-powered bike.
The Frenchman feels like he is an integral part of the bike’s development in hopes of getting it into a competitive shape.
Quartararo’s body language wasn’t good after the test at Misano, and after Miller also had a go on the bike, he understands where the 2021 world champion is coming from.
“I’m not negative. They did their best, but I understand Fabio’s frustration,” Miller told GPOne. “He wants a competitive bike, but some things take time.
“We’ve to develop a new platform. Unfortunately, there’s no time in the MotoGP. I understand his point of view. We know his talent; there’s no doubt about that. I think I’ve provided clear comments to Yamaha for improving competitiveness.”
The silver lining is that engineers still have a number of months to get the bike ready for the start of the new season. Paired with the valuable data gathered from the Misano test, they can start working on the areas they need to as soon as possible.
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