Marco Bezzecchi
Yamaha’s V4 has hit the track ahead of the 2026 MotoGP season, but the team have already encountered multiple issues.
Fabio Quartararo crashed at turn five at Sepang in the morning session, suffering a broken finger and cuts to his left arm. The Frenchman went back out in the afternoon, going eight tenths behind pacesetter Marc Marquez.
After day one, Quartararo announced he would withdraw from the rest of testing due to his injuries. Yamaha investigated his V4 bike to find the problem for his crash, but alarmingly, they found no answer.
ANOTHER rider injured in testing – is this why we need to slow the bikes down?
Subsequently, the Iwata outfit have suspended track activity for their riders until they can find the issue with the engine. No Yamaha rider took part in the morning session on Wednesday and they will not go out on track in the afternoon.
It is not currently clear whether they will run on Thursday, but what is clear is that this is a nightmare start to Yamaha’s 2026 campaign. It does not help their case amid rumours about Quartararo’s future.
Max Bartolini admits it would be ‘very strange’ if Yamaha’s V4 is at the same level as their rivals in 2026
The 2021 MotoGP champion has been frustrated by Yamaha’s lack of success in recent years. Heading into 2026, he is demanding that the manufacturer bring him a competitive bike, or he will leave.
Quartararo pushed for the V4 to be brought forward in development in 2025. But Yamaha have admitted they are ’15 years behind’ with the project, which is not something their star rider will want to hear.
It makes their problems in Malaysia all the more concerning, and even when they do fix them, it does not look like they are optimistic about their chances, as Max Bartolini explains on After The Flag after day one in Sepang.
What impact will Fabio Quartararo’s injury have on his season?
“I hope we don’t struggle more than last year, but it can be,” he said. “Because, for sure, you are fighting with the same, let’s call it a weapon, against people that have the same weapon for 20 years.
“So, it will be challenging and I expect that we will struggle. If you think, it will be very, very surprising and strange if we arrive and we are on the same speed level of the others. It means, OK we are very lucky, but it’s very strange.”
Reports have suggested that Quartararo is bound for Honda in 2027, signing a two-year deal. He has not given Yamaha’s V4 a chance to prove itself, but judging by Bartolini’s comments and the problems at Sepang, it is no surprise to see that the Frenchman has finally lost patience.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Fabio Quartararo from net worth to career stats
Might Fabio Quartararo regret joining Honda?
Yamaha’s problems with the V4 are seriously concerning, and losing Quartararo for the rest of the Sepang test will do them no favours. Even if they can get back on track for day three, they will be without their strongest rider.
Naturally, 2026 will be a learning year for the Iwata outfit as they develop the bike throughout the season. But Quartararo has made it clear that he has no time to wait and wants to be competitive now, hence why he has decided to head to Honda.
But Quartararo has been told he might regret leaving Yamaha, as Ramon Forcada says the bike could improve mid-season and suddenly give him a change of heart.
Likewise, Honda’s machine might not be in a position to win races and fight towards the front. But they are certainly in a much better place than their Japanese rivals right now.
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