Marco Bezzecchi
Yamaha’s new V4-engined MotoGP bike made its debut public appearance at the San Marino Grand Prix, and Valentino Rossi had to check out the new package at Misano.
The Iwata outfit are the last team to make the switch to a V4 engine, with intentions to race with a V4 from the 2026 MotoGP season. So, Yamaha used the San Marino GP and the post-race test at Misano on Monday to gather crucial data for the development of the V4 engine.
Yamaha have carried out extensive testing with a V4 engine, but the San Marino GP marked its race debut as test rider Augusto Fernandez made a wildcard appearance. Full-time riders Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins and Jack Miller also rode the V4-engined M1 in the Misano test.
Quartararo was not hugely enthusiastic about Yamaha’s V4 following the Misano test, as he questioned the progress compared to the brand’s current inline four engine. Miller expects to see improvements from Yamaha’s V4 before he rides it in November’s Valencia test, too.
MotoGP fans beg Yamaha to give Valentino Rossi a wildcard on their V4-engined bike
Yamaha dropping their inline four engine for a V4 in what will be the final year of MotoGP’s current regulations will mark a huge move by the Japanese manufacturer. Their new engine also caught the eye of Rossi, who visited Yamaha’s garage at Misano to check it out himself.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Valentino Rossi from stats to net worth
Rossi, despite owning a satellite Ducati team in VR46, even spoke with Fernandez about the Yamaha V4 at Misano as he got a close-up look at the prototype package. And MotoGP fans are now desperate for Yamaha to offer Rossi a wildcard appearance on the V4-engined M1.
One fan replied to Yamaha’s post on X sharing photos of Rossi inspecting their V4 bike at Misano, suggesting: “You should give the GOAT a few laps on it! He’ll have it up to speed and on the correct path in no time.”
Another fan also suggested Rossi would be a valuable asset were Yamaha to give the seven-time premier class champion a wildcard on their V4, noting: “Rossi needs to try it and give feedback.” Some fans also suggested, “He should take her for a spin” and “Give him a ride.”
A Ducati fan also replied to Yamaha’s post with: “Valentino Yamaha Wild Card in Valencia!” While another MotoGP fan claimed: “Give Valentino a test ride next summer, he earned it!” Another fan also told Yamaha: “One wildcard [and the] yellow sea will flood the circuit.”
Augusto Fernandez and Andrea Dovizioso will continue to test the Yamaha V4 engine
Rossi made headlines at Misano with his reaction to Marc Marquez’s crash in last Saturday’s Sprint Race at the San Marino GP. Fernandez finished the Misano Sprint in P18 and was P14 in last Sunday’s San Marino GP aboard the V4 Yamaha on the bike’s competitive race debut.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Yamaha from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy
Fernandez’s San Marino GP was compromised as he had to serve a double long lap penalty for a jump start. Yet the Yamaha test rider still finished in front of LCR Honda rookie Somkiat Chantra during the Misano Sprint and the San Marino GP, as he bagged Yamaha crucial data.
While MotoGP fans now want to see Rossi make a wildcard with the V4 Yamaha, testing will also continue to fall at the feet of Fernandez and Andrea Dovizioso. Rossi has not competed in MotoGP since the Italian legend retired after the 2021 season-ending Valencia Grand Prix.
Rossi spent 16 of his 22 seasons in MotoGP aboard Yamaha machinery, including 15 for their factory team. The seven-time premier class champion spent his final season in the field with satellite outfit Petronas Yamaha SRT after swapping seats with Quartararo in the 2021 term.
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