Jack Miller’s MotoGP bike has one significant disadvantage that Yamaha’s V4 engine should fix

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Jack Miller is probably looking forward to turning the page on what has been an incredibly tricky 2025 MotoGP season.

A year that started with promise has since tailed off, and Yamaha have been forced to rush the V4 engine project ahead of when they had planned. They haven’t got long before the start of the new MotoGP season to correct any issues they face.

For Miller, he’s on course for his third-worst campaign ever, and an 18th-place finish in the standings. His experience and feedback is going to be critical in developing their latest project throughout next season, and his Pramac team are going to be relying on him to bring a spark of life.

Miller’s second-worst showing should worry Pramac, as it suggests that maybe he’s on the back foot a bit heading into the new season. Miller knows where Yamaha must improve the V4, and its recent wildcard run at the Malaysian Grand Prix offered a concerning outlook. There’s plenty of work to do.

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Yamaha’s V4 engine should fix Jack Miller’s weight disadvantage

Miller must improve if he wants a 2027 seat, and it’s something he’ll be aware of next year. The MotoGP rider market is likely to unfold early and quickly, as teams bid to secure their number one choices as early as possible.

While Miller’s feedback is ‘golden’ for Yamaha, scoring points and pushing the team forward on track is what will help him hang around for a bit longer beyond 2026. It can’t be nice looking at one-year contracts every season, just a good run of form could help change that outcome.

Yamaha aren’t pretending that their new V4 engine is already a world-beater. Augusto Fernandez finished last with it at Sepang a few weeks ago, and some concerns have been shared about it. Yamaha’s V4 is miles off its rivals, and the pressure is mounting.

On a positive note, MotoMatters reports that their current bike is as much as 12kg overweight, causing them to spin up their rear tyre over more than one lap. The V4 is much lighter, and therefore should help eliminate some of that disadvantage.

It will be a relief to Miller and his colleagues. But, Yamaha have hit an ‘extreme’ limit already and do need to do work in other areas before they can be prepared to challenge their rivals.

READ MORE: Yamaha may have ‘shot themselves in the foot’ with their new V4 bike as Fabio Quartararo decision looms

Why the next two weeks are critical for Yamaha’s MotoGP future

Yamaha know that time is running out to impress superstar rider Fabio Quartararo with their latest invention. He has given them time, and that clock is close to expiring.

The post-season test in Valencia is the first time they’ll be able to roll out what they want to look like in 2026.

Quartararo will know almost straight away whether the improvements they have made will be enough to compete.

If not, he might start to scour the rider market earlier than expected, in anticipation of a move for the future. Yamaha may need to do the same to find his replacement.