Get ready, MotoGP fans, because Yamaha is shaking things up! Jack Miller is diving headfirst into the development of Yamaha's brand-new V4 prototype, the bike that will replace the iconic Inline-powered M1 for the 2026 season. This is a huge shift, and the stakes are high.
The initial V4 prototype, with its power intentionally held back, made a splash with three wild-card appearances this year, piloted by test rider Augusto Fernandez. The bike even managed to score points in its debut at Misano. This early success is a promising sign of things to come.
Miller, along with factory Yamaha riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, has already had a taste of the V4 during post-race tests. They've been putting in the work, logging crucial track time at Valencia to help refine the machine.
So, what's the plan? Miller himself laid out the roadmap for the V4's evolution into a race-winning machine. First and foremost, reliability is key, and the early signs are good. "Obviously, it needs to be reliable first of all, which they’ve shown it to be so far,” Miller stated.
Next comes power. The team is confident they can unlock more horsepower. "We've worked out that it's able to use the power it has now, so it's a matter of increasing the power, which they can do.”
But here's where it gets controversial... the suspension system is already proven, so the focus shifts to the electronic package and chassis adjustments. The goal? To transform the prototype from a test project into a finely tuned racing weapon. "It's about getting everything in place. So rather than test teams trying different items and stuff like that, we'll start doing what we normally do [to get performance from] a race bike.”
Miller's assessment is clear: the test team has done the groundwork, and now it's time for the factory riders to step in and "polish" the V4. He finished the official Valencia test day in 20th place, just 1.491 seconds off the fastest rider. The team then stayed at the circuit for additional private testing.
And this is the part most people miss... the 'real' 2026 V4 is expected to make its debut at the Sepang shakedown test from January 29–31. All Yamaha riders will be eligible to participate before the official MotoGP test at the Malaysian venue.
This is a pivotal moment for Yamaha. What do you think of this bold move? Do you believe the V4 can live up to the legacy of the M1? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
