“I CAN’T BELIEVE MY EYES” Even boss Paolo Pavesio was amazed by the results of Quartararo’s Yamaha V4 engine test today 👇👇

I CAN’T BELIEVE IT. That was pretty much the collective reaction that resonated through Yamaha’s MotoGP paddock today when the unexpected happened: Fabio Quartararo had ridden the all-new Yamaha V4 prototype around the Barcelona track, and the results were astounding, even for team boss Paolo Pavesio.

For months, Yamaha has been working behind the scenes on its bold move away from the inline-four engine. The only factory still racing with this traditional configuration, the Japanese team has hit a roadblock this season, unable to replicate its past victories or ensure podium consistency. The V4 project, initially announced by Pavesio in mid-2024 as a long-term safety net, has now become an urgent priority as Yamaha prepares for the regulation changes for 2026 and 2027.

Earlier this year, during several test sessions—at Ricardo Tormo’s and in Catalonia—Yamaha test riders, including Augusto Fernández and Andrea Dovizioso, recorded data on the new prototype. Their feedback suggested promise, but also limitations: during controlled tests in Brno, the V4 recorded lap times nearly two seconds faster than the current M1 model, although Yamaha warned that these figures were not yet significant given the different setup and limited number of laps.

And then came today’s twist. Yamaha star rider and former world champion Quartararo joined the ranks of V4 test riders at a private session in Barcelona, ​​scheduled after the Catalan Grand Prix. His presence marked a symbolic turning point. Riding the prototype is one thing for the test riders, but the fact that Quartararo rode it just days before Misano is a bold statement.

According to some sources, even Paolo Pavesio was left speechless by what happened on track. The V4 prototype responded far beyond expectations, delivering traction, stability, and power that Yamaha engineers hadn’t yet fully anticipated. An inside source described Pavesio’s reaction: “He looked at the timing sheet, then turned back to the bike, and couldn’t believe his eyes.”

As no timing sheet from the tests has been made public, it’s still unclear exactly how close Quartararo’s lap times were to the established benchmark. Nevertheless, the general consensus is that the V4’s performance in the hands of a top rider like Quartararo significantly narrowed the gap, perhaps enough to rethink part of Yamaha’s development roadmap.

This surprisingly strong performance couldn’t have come at a better time. Yamaha is planning a wildcard debut for the V4 prototype with Augusto Fernández at the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano, scheduled for September 12-14, followed by a day of official testing. The data collected will be crucial in deciding whether the V4 will compete in the 2026 season. While this has not yet been confirmed, it remains the clear objective of the Iwata factory.

Yamaha has so far displayed cautious optimism. In mid-August, Pavesio emphasized that the team was “very close” to a decision and “fully committed” to the V4 project, while acknowledging the magnitude of the challenge of catching up with the inline-four’s established racing pace.

With Quartararo at the helm and the prototype’s impressive response, that could change. This test seems to be a wake-up call for Yamaha: the V4 engine could not only be competitive, but also represent the competitive leap the factory needs.

There’s still a lot of work to be done. The track team needs to refine the chassis’ materials and integration, fine-tune the aerodynamics, and validate consistency over race distances. But one thing is undeniable after today: Yamaha is no longer experimenting, it’s accelerating. And suddenly, the phrase “I can’t believe my eyes” could well become the benchmark for what the V4 is capable of.

For Yamaha, once a cautious innovator, the V4 project is now emerging as their boldest and potentially transformative gamble yet—and thanks to Quartararo’s test, it could well pay off sooner than expected.