Iwata factory shifts focus to 2027 as inline 4 development stalls
Members of Yamaha tested at Brno prior to the German GP, where its V4 was once again on track. And Alex Rins, who was there testing the factory’s inline four configuration, revealed development on his current machine will be minimal, as Yamaha pours its attention toward the V4.
“The current bike is what we’re going to finish the season on. We are not expecting more updates or more big updates,” he said. On the V4’s progress, he offered, “I rode behind Augusto (Fernandez – test rider) on the practice starts, and all I can say is that I was quite surprised in a positive way.”
Paolo Pavesio, Managing Director of Yamaha said, “We are still not sure that we’ll race for 2026 with the V4 even if this is the target. But we’re looking toward 2027. It’s an incredibly challenging moment but it’s also exciting. It’s complex but needed.”
Visually, the V4 prototype closely resembles the current inline-four model, sharing many aerodynamic elements—most notably, the front fairing appears to be identical. However, there are subtle differences: the revised fairing features additional top-mounted side louvers to improve air ventilation, particularly under the tank area. The exhaust system, while reflecting the overall shape of the existing M1’s tailpipe, has been modified—most notably with one of the exhausts now exiting on the right-hand side, highlighting the configuration change underneath.
For more pics of Yamaha’s V4 prototype testing at Brno visit GPone.com
