Fabio Quartararo believes Yamaha are behind with their V4 development after what he’s seen

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Fabio Quartararo has begun testing the new V4 bike as Yamaha plan to roll out the machine on the MotoGP grid in 2026.

Yamaha are bottom of the manufacturers’ standings in 2025, having scored just one podium all season. While results have improved from 2024, Quartararo is desperate to see the team move from the back of the grid.

The Frenchman has produced standout performances this season, with four pole positions and a P2 finish at Jerez. However, the YZR-M1 has been largely uncompetitive, prompting strong pressure from Quartararo as he wants to see Yamaha fight at the front.

Quartararo forced Yamaha to bring forward the V4 project after he looked ‘defeated’ in recent races. Yamaha tested the bike in Barcelona before Augusto Fernandez used it as a wildcard entry at Misano.

Jack Miller said the bike is not the finished product, seeing that Yamaha still have a way to go with development. Quartararo was 1.5 seconds slower on the V4 in Barcelona testing compared to his qualifying time for the Catalan GP.

Fabio Quartararo believes Yamaha are behind with the V4 bike as he tries to ‘force’ them to speed up development

Quartararo had a face of thunder after testing the V4. Journalist Peter Bom says that the 26-year-old will not say anything good about the bike as he wants to ‘force’ Yamaha to speed up development.

“Speed of development is not enough. They need to pick up the speed, it takes them too long,” he said via the Pit Talk podcast.

“The V4 looks beautiful, and it looks very, very promising, but it’s too late. The bike that arrived should have arrived months ago already. Everything takes them too long in Yamaha.

“Fabio Quartararo is so professional, but he has a different agenda. He is in a different part of his career, I think Fabio is 26, he’s still really, really, young.

“He just says: ‘It’s crap, it’s s—, it’s crap, it’s nothing’. He doesn’t even want to say anything good about the bike, but that’s his agenda. He’s putting pressure on Yamaha.

“He’s not a negative guy, he doesn’t have a negative outlook on life, Fabio Quartararo. He just tries everything he can to force Yamaha to speed up the development.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Fabio Quartararo from net worth to career stats

Fabio Quartararo is attracting interest from MotoGP rivals amid Yamaha frustration

Quartararo has sent a clear message to Yamaha – he will consider leaving the manufacturer if the V4 proves uncompetitive after the first two or three races of 2026.

The Frenchman is losing patience with Yamaha after seeing little progress in recent years. The team have regressed dramatically since he won them the title in 2021.

Amidst his frustrations, Honda are ‘incredibly interested’ in Quartararo. With his Yamaha contract expiring in 2026, he will certainly be a top target for teams on the MotoGP rider market.

Ducati are also admirers of Quartararo as they plot an ambitious move for 2027. It would give the Borgo Panigale outfit an almighty line-up if Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia stay put.