Yamaha has confirmed that its new V4 MotoGP bike will race for the first time at the San Marino Grand Prix next month.
Riding duties for its race debut on 12-14 September will, however, be entrusted to test rider Augusto Fernandez.
“For Misano, we are targeting seeing Augusto Fernandez race our new M1 prototype with the V4 engine,” said Yamaha Motor Racing managing director Paolo Pavesio in a video on Monday.
“This is an excellent preview and a concrete sign of our commitment to the future, while we continue to push with determination to get the best out of every race weekend.”
Fernandez racing the V4 at Misano had been expected by many in the MotoGP paddock. Similarly, there is an expectation that race riders including Fabio Quartararo will get a taste of the bike at the test that follows a day after the race.
Yamaha’s plan for the test, however, has not yet been officially confirmed. Apart from lead rider Quartararo, satellite rider Jack Miller is also expected to play an important role in the development of the V4 engine.
This follows Miller finally getting the nod to remain with the Pramac squad for 2026 following a long period of uncertainty. The extended deal was sealed at the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend.
While Quartararo only knows life as an in-line four rider in MotoGP, Miller has experience of riding V4 machinery at both KTM and Ducati.
2021 world champion Quartararo has nonetheless put pressure on Yamaha to bring forward the V4’s race debut given the ongoing struggles with the current bike.
The Frenchman said last week that if the new machine proved able to lap within half a second of the current one, he would be in favour of racing it.
