AMAHA
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
Without question, the factory that has the most work to do. 2025 was the last for the legendary YZR-M1 inline four engine, with a continual lack of rear grip the reason for the factory switching to a new V4 motor.“ When you have to catch up, you need to be brave and bold,” said Managing Director Paolo Pavesio.“ This is why the decision to shift to V4 configuration in’ 26 was taken. This bike has more potential than the one we raced in 2025.”
Getting it up to speed was always going to take time. Its appearances at the close of 2025 in the hands of Test Rider Augusto Fernandez were essentially the new engine in the old M1 bike. But after a winter of work, Yamaha brought a raft of updates for the Sepang test, including updates for“ the chassis, swingarm, fairing, engine and other details,” according to Technical Director Max Bartolini.
At the Sepang test its riders were still making big changes to set-up, suggesting they are some way from finding a settled base setting. Team Manager Massimo Meregalli is viewing the year ahead in two parts.“ We are starting from zero almost,” he said.“ In the first one we’ ll try to get used to the new bike in a kind of learning process. Then in the second, for sure we expect Alex( Rins) and Fabio to gradually improve their results.”
Official Programme Chang International Circuit 67