MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Fabio Quartararo believes the V4 project from Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP requires “a few more months to be ready”, after a difficult showing at the 2026 Buriram pre-season test.
Yamaha concluded testing more than one second off the outright benchmark, with none of its riders producing competitive race simulations. Quartararo estimated that the deficit in race trim is approximately 0.7 to 0.8 seconds per lap compared to reference pace, underlining the scale of the development task ahead.
“I tried to give my maximum.”
“We can see we are seven, eight tenths slower than last year’s race simulation in the test.”
“But I think it’s a long process and we need a few more months to be ready.”
Although a revised V4 engine specification is expected around the Spanish Grand Prix, Quartararo stressed that engine performance alone will not resolve Yamaha’s broader weaknesses. While top speed remains below leading manufacturers, he identified cornering behaviour and grip as the primary limitations.
“I think the engine is a big step of our improvement, but not all of it.”
“Like, the turning of the bike right and the grip is the weakest point right now.”
“Of course, the power is not there, but for me the weakest point is that I’m not able to turn, I’m not able to really make lap times smoothly.”
During his Sprint simulation, Quartararo circulated in the high 1m30s to low 1m31s but struggled with tyre overheating, which compromised consistency. Team-mate Jack Miller experienced similar degradation during his longer run, operating in the high 1m32s, reinforcing concerns about race distance performance.
“If we check my sprint simulation, I’m in 1m30s high, 1m31s low, but I’m struggling because the tyre overheats so much.”
“We saw Jack tried to make a long run and was in 1m32s high. So, there are many things to improve.”
Quartararo also dismissed the likelihood of replicating last season’s qualifying highlights, when he was still able to secure pole positions and front-row starts despite race pace limitations. He expects 2026 to be dominated by development rather than immediate results.
“Well, I think that will be all the year, to be honest, because I don’t think we can find all what we need super quickly.”
“This year there will be no possibility of doing these kinds of [pole] laps, because it’s clearly the point where we miss from last year.”
With deficits in top speed, corner entry precision, and tyre temperature management, Yamaha appear set for a transitional campaign focused on long-term competitiveness. The early rounds of the 2026 MotoGP season will determine how quickly the V4 project can close the gap to the front.
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