Gavin Emmett says Yamaha’s V4 bike is ‘still not right’ after what he spotted at Malaysian Grand Prix

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Augusto Fernandez is making another wildcard appearance at the Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend. He’s once again testing Yamaha’s brand-new V4-powered bike.

Yamaha, the only team still running an inline four engine, still haven’t officially confirmed that they will switch to a V4 next year. But virtually everybody in the MotoGP paddock, including their riders, expects them to do so.

Fernandez gave the bike its Grand Prix debut at Misano and will hope to feel some improvement at Sepang over a month on. Yamaha’s full-time riders can’t use the V4 outside test sessions due to homologation rules.

A report this week claimed that Fabio Quartararo pushed Yamaha to deploy Fernandez on the V4 again. One of the team’s main objectives in developing the bike is convincing their franchise rider to stay beyond 2026.

Gavin Emmett concerned by Yamaha V4’s ride-height at the Malaysian Grand Prix

Speaking during the later practice session on Friday, TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson warned that Quartararo could face a ‘really long year’ if the V4 is lagging behind. He’s demanding a bike that can compete for wins again, with his drought stretching back to Germany 2022.

“It could be a really long year for Fabio Quartararo if they decide to run the V4 and it’s off the pace,” he said.

Fellow commentator Gavin Emmett remarked, while watching a slow-motion replay of Fernandez, that the rear of the bike was alarmingly close to the track.

The Spaniard was the slowest-rider in the weather-affected session, over a second off the nearest M1 (Miguel Oliveira on the satellite Pramac). He was second from bottom in FP1.

“Look how low the back of that bike is,” Emmett said. “That is as low as you can go, and it’s still pumping. It’s still not right.”

Fabio Quartararo refuses to be caught napping in MotoGP rider market

One could argue that the biggest moment of 2025 is actually the post-season test in Valencia. With all their riders set to use the V4, it will dictate the mood heading into the winter.

Quartararo was dissatisfied with the bike at Misano and if that frustration persists, then he may begin negotiations with other teams during the off-season. His contract expires at the end of next year.

Speaking this week, Quartararo said he couldn’t ‘sleep’ in the rider market. If he gives Yamaha too much time to impress him, then he may find that the best seats elsewhere are already filled.