Marco Bezzecchi
Yamaha are committed to racing a V4 engine in the final season of the 1,000cc era in 2026, despite also having to develop an 850cc unit for the 2027 MotoGP regulations.
The Japanese outfit are the final constructor to switch their inline four engine for a V4 in the 1,000cc era. Yamaha previously stuck with an inline four engine due to its greater cornering strengths, but their riders were regularly blown away on straights by their V4-engined rivals.
Additionally, Yamaha immediately accepted they had to build a V4 engine upon reading the 2027 regulations, as an inline four will not suit the 850cc rules. MotoGP is set to reduce the total engine size and cylinder bore size to make bikes slower, safer and more road-relevant.
MotoGP will overhaul the regulations in 2027, with a reduction in aerodynamic devices and removal of ride height devices the other highlights alongside the new engine rules. The five constructors are already developing their 850cc bikes in parallel to their 1,000cc machines.
Will Yamaha return to winning ways with a V4 engine in 2026?
Mat Oxley thinks Yamaha should have sacrificed 2026 and raced an 850cc V4 engine
KTM have already tested their 850cc bike on a circuit, as Pol Espargaro rode an early version of their package for the 2027 regulations during a private test at Jerez in December. But Mat Oxley suggests Yamaha have missed a trick that might have put them “several steps ahead”.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Yamaha from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy
Oxley believes Yamaha should have sacrificed the 2026 MotoGP season and used an 850cc engine this year, as there is no regulation preventing teams from using a smaller engine this term. He feels doing so would have negated the extra challenge of developing a 1,000cc V4.
“While MotoGP’s other four manufacturers face the huge challenge of racing their current 1,000cc machines and developing their all-new 850s for 2027, Yamaha face the altogether greater challenge of developing and racing their new 1,000 and developing an 850,” Oxley told Motor Sport Magazine.
“Which begs the question, why don’t Yamaha steal a march on their rivals and race their 850 this year, so that when MotoGP’s new era begins in 2027, they would be several steps ahead of their rivals?
“There’s nothing stopping them from doing this. Because while the manufacturers have a gentleman’s agreement to only run their 850s with test riders until midway through 2026, there’s no agreement not to race 850s this year.”
Yamaha’s 1,000cc V4 engine will directly influence their bike for the 850cc regulations
Prove me wrong: Fermin Aldeguer has the best MotoGP crew chief in 2026
While Oxley believes there is no rule preventing Yamaha from using an 850cc engine during the 2026 season instead of a 1,000cc V4, managing director Paolo Pavesio has already shot down the idea. Pavesio states that Yamaha simply “cannot accept” racing with a lesser unit.
Additionally, Pavesio adds that everything that Yamaha learn while developing their 1,000cc engine in 2026 will directly influence how they design their 850cc V4 for 2027. So, Yamaha also intend to continue developing their 1,000cc V4 engine throughout the 2026 campaign.
He told Motor Sport Magazine: “When you are Yamaha, you cannot accept to do a season with 150cc less and no ride-height devices. The point is that a lot of what we will do in 2026 with the 1,000cc V4 will be instrumental for 2027. It’s the foundation of the 850, absolutely.
“From the zero spec we have now to the number one spec we will race in Thailand, we will then be continuously developing all through the season.”
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
