Yamaha waives goodbye to its inline-four MotoGP engine

Yamaha will officially race its new V4 engine in MotoGP from 2026, ending a legendary run with the inline-four. 

While Yamaha’s decision to swap out the inline-four power unit for its new V4 is unsurprising given all the hype surrounding the new engine, it marks one of the biggest changes that any brand has made in the sport.

Yamaha has been synonymous with the inline-four, albeit with a crossplane crank, which powered the M1 to 125 race wins, more than 350 podiums, and eight MotoGP titles. 

But in a bid to get back on terms with the likes of Ducati, and even Aprilia in recent times, Yamaha began working on its own V4, which has undergone rigorous testing throughout 2025.

The results of that have not always shown clear-cut improvements over the inline-four, with the brand’s top rider Fabio Quartararo hinting at that on occasion. However, it was used heavily during the final few races, with Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez doing the bulk of the testing and development.   

The tests and races it completed in 2025 ultimately proved enough for Yamaha to say, yes, to its new V4 engine. And with that, Yamaha expects the new V4 to offer improved acceleration, better handling under braking, and greater adaptability to the most recent tyres and aerodynamics requirements. 

While better performance from one engine to another should make for an easy decision, the emotional ties Yamaha has with the inline-four also made the decision tough, according to the Iwata-based manufacturer. 

As part of a press release, General Manager of Yamaha’s Motor Sports Development Division, Takahiro Sumi, said this about the decision to use the V4:

"The inline-four has been at the heart of Yamaha's philosophy for decades. It delivered unforgettable victories and shaped our reputation for precision and control. We are proud of what this engine has achieved and of the riders who made history with it, as they all together have shaped our racing heritage."

"However, MotoGP is constantly evolving, and we must evolve with it. The V4 represents a new chapter for Yamaha, one that combines our 'Spirit of Challenge' with our racing DNA and the technical solutions required to fight at the top."

This decision clearly means a new and different future for Yamaha’s MotoGP project is on the way, as it will now continue building a V4 engine that has limited data behind it compared to all other brands on the grid. 

Yamaha’s inline-four will likely always be remembered by the company’s die-hard fans, but also fans of individual riders, as it powered Valentino Rossi to the 2009 title.

That was also the case for Jorge Lorenzo’s iconic Movistar-sponsored M1 from the 2015 season, which features this striking blue and white livery. 

Looking ahead to 2026, the new V4 engine will be raced by Quartararo, Alex Rins, Jack Miller and the Japanese brand’s new MotoGP star, Toprak Razgatlioglu.

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