Fabio Quartararo cautious about the arrival of the V4: "It doesn't mean it will work"

Yamaha has given itself a new horizon with the arrival of the V4, which fabio quartararo tested for the first time earlier this week at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. A highly anticipated stage, but one that the 2021 world champion prefers to approach with perspective. Far from getting carried away, the Frenchman points out that the equation is much more complex than a simple engine change.

On the sidelines of the Catalan Grand Prix of MotoGP, the Frenchman remained cautious in front of the media: "That doesn't mean that just because it's a V4, it's going to work. We saw Honda struggle for years and are only just starting to come back. In Brno, Mir was fast. In Spielberg, they were very fast. In Hungary too. They made the move, but we didn't. I hope they can really put everything together with the V4."

While there was talk of the possibility of abandoning the current M1 to test the V4 prototype full-time, Quartararo clarified the progress of the work: "I think they're already completely focused on the V4. We won't have anything left to test until the end of the season, that's why. I really hope they can speed up the development, because it's a completely new bike."

Asked about the possibility of choosing between the current M1 and the future V4 by the end of the season, "El Diablo" replied: “I’ve never tried the V4. I knew it was the bike of the future for 2026. Of course, I’ll have to choose, but by regulation it’s not legal for us. We’ve already used all the aerodynamic developments and more. Of course, it will be great to see Augusto test the V4.”

© Yamaha MotoGP

Fabio Quartararo too critical of Yamaha?

In addition to his first impressions of the V4, this Monday, September 8, the Frenchman will be watching the feedback from Augusto Fernández, who has been designated as a Wildcard for the San Marino Grand Prix. It should be noted that the Nice driver, like his teammate, Álex Rins, will be conducting a second V4 test next Monday, as part of an Official Test organized on the Misano circuit.

Happy to be able to try new things, the 2021 world champion also retracted his past statements. In recent months, Fabio Quartararo has not hesitated to multiply his criticisms of Yamaha. But for him, it's not about complaining, rather about taking action. The Nice rider assures us that his direct tone is aimed at getting Yamaha to react, at a time when the Iwata factory is playing a critical role in its future in MotoGP.

“Just because I’m tough doesn’t mean I want to be negative. For me, it’s also a way to show them that I’m really pushing, He says. If I wanted to, I wouldn't say anything. But I'm the one who spends the most time in meetings, trying to improve what we can, because I really want to get back to where I think we can be. Maybe it's hard, but in the booth, I'm the one who wants to get the most out of it."

It remains to be seen what conclusions Yamaha riders can draw from this new V4. The answer will be revealed in a few days at Misano, during the final round of the 2025 MotoGP European tour.

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