Quartararo claims a V4 engine is now pivotal for MotoGP success

Yamaha’s 2021 MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo has said the Japanese manufacturer is right in developing a V4, following the first European test of the engine at Valencia last week.

While Pramac Yamaha rider Augusto Fernandez was the man in the saddle for the test, all the marque’s riders were questioned about the latest on the V4 ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, and Quartararo came out strongly in favour of the concept.

“From my point of view, even for next year, the direction to follow is the V4,” said the 26-year-old. “Out of five manufacturers, four are competing with a V4 engine. It’s clear which path you need to take to be fast – especially in races – and to be able to fight with the others.”

While convinced that the project is a good one, Quartararo said it was too early to think about trying the new engine himself.

“We’re really focused on this year’s bike right now, and we’ll turn our attention to the V4 afterwards,” continued the Frenchman. “More or less all the bikes for next year will be ready around August or September, so that’s when I’ll probably try it myself.”

He did however like the idea of a rider making a wildcard appearance with it at a race weekend.

“I think wildcards are being considered for the future,” he said. “I don’t know if Yamaha plans to use the V4 engine in any of them. But it’s always much more interesting to test things during a grand prix than in a regular test, where you spend most of the time riding alone. I hope we do get to see the V4 engine in a wildcard [entry].”

Like all the Yamaha riders, Fernandez was unable to reveal many details of the Valencia test, but admitted it had gone well.

“It was a positive test,” said the Spaniard. “But I didn’t even push. I didn’t want to be the first rider to fall with the Yamaha V4! That would have been making history for the wrong reasons. It was just about giving the bike a run and gathering data.

“It’s very early to even compare the [current and V4] bikes. But yes, the project looks nice. Yamaha is doing a great job. I’m very happy with how things went and I’m looking forward to the next test.”

Regarding a potential entry by a wildcard rider – potentially Fernandez himself given that his seat is at some point due to be reclaimed by regular rider Miguel Oliveira when the Portuguese rider recovers from his latest injury – the 27-year-old agreed it would make sense, but at a later date.

“Right now it wouldn’t be good,” he said. “I would be slower than with the normal engine. It’s just an engine… the chassis and all the rest still need to be done. It’s a process and it might take time.”

Fernandez said the next V4 test would probably go ahead in May. The engine is not expected to make an appearance at the official group test at Jerez on Monday, but factory rider Alex Rins did say other developments tested by Fernandez at Valencia would feature.