Toprak Razgatlioglu Makes Public Yamaha V4 Debut at Sepang

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - A new MotoGP era officially began at Sepang International Circuit as Toprak Razgatlioglu completed his first public outing aboard Yamaha’s V4-powered YZR-M1 prototype on the final day of the Sepang Shakedown Test on Monday, February 2, 2026.

The appearance marked a major milestone for both Razgatlioglu and Yamaha, as the Japanese manufacturer continues its transition away from the long-serving inline-four configuration. At this early stage, the focus of the shakedown was not outright performance but rider adaptation and validation of the core V4 engine and chassis concept.

Across the three-day test, Razgatlioglu showed clear and measurable progress. After ending the opening day almost 1.8 seconds off the fastest time, the Turkish rider reduced that gap to approximately 0.6 seconds by the end of the final session, relative to Ducati’s test rider. The improvement underlined his rapid adaptation to the fundamentally different characteristics of the V4 package.

From a technical perspective, Razgatlioglu highlighted how the V4 engine has reshaped the overall behaviour of the Yamaha prototype, particularly in power delivery and braking dynamics.

“The character of this engine is very different from what I’ve ridden before,” said Toprak Razgatlioglu in an official Yamaha Racing release.
“The power is very linear but very strong at high revs. I’m still learning how to stop the bike because the engine braking is very different compared to a Superbike.”

Razgatlioglu’s trademark riding style, built around extreme braking and frequent rear-wheel lift, has presented a specific challenge for Yamaha’s new technical platform. The V4-powered YZR-M1 and its revised chassis have been designed with a strong emphasis on stability, prompting the mechanics at Prima Pramac Yamaha to continuously adjust weight distribution and braking setup to allow Razgatlioglu to retain his aggressive approach without compromising mid-corner speed.

Internal collaboration has also played a key role during the shakedown. The presence of Jack Miller in the same garage has provided Yamaha with valuable technical cross-reference. Miller, who brings extensive experience with V4 machinery from both Ducati and KTM, was frequently seen exchanging feedback with Razgatlioglu throughout the test.

Early telemetry analysis showed Razgatlioglu already performing strongly in heavy braking zones, particularly at Turns 1 and 15 at Sepang. However, he continued to lose time through the middle sector, an area that demands smooth flow and corner stability, which remains a primary development focus for Yamaha’s engineers.

The encouraging signs from the shakedown provide a solid foundation ahead of the Official Sepang Test, scheduled for February 5–7, when the full MotoGP grid will return to the track. Yamaha views the V4 project as a long-term strategic shift, with the shakedown serving as a critical baseline before performance evaluations intensify during the next phase of pre-season testing.