Toprak Stuns Quartararo as Yamaha’s V4 Sparks New Dynamics in MotoGP

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - The latest MotoGP pre-season running at Sepang from January 29–31, 2026 has revealed a compelling internal battle within the Yamaha camp. Despite his rookie status, Toprak Razgatlioglu delivered a rapid adaptation to Yamaha’s new V4 machine, surprising Fabio Quartararo, even as the 2021 world champion retained a narrow advantage on outright pace.

Yamaha’s switch to a V4 engine has not only reshaped its technical direction but also intensified the internal competitive landscape. Early Sepang data shows the performance gap between Yamaha riders tightening, with Razgatlioglu’s learning curve standing out as one of the most significant stories of the test.

Yamaha V4 Lap Time Comparison – Sepang Test 2026

Note: Compiled from Shakedown Test data and limited private sessions as of 31 January 2026.

The most striking element of the data was Razgatlioglu’s speed in heavy braking zones. Quartararo openly admitted he was taken aback by how quickly the former WorldSBK champion adapted to MotoGP machinery.

“Honestly, I was quite surprised by how fast he adapted,” said Fabio Quartararo after reviewing the telemetry.
“I think he will be much stronger in his debut season than many people expected.”

While Quartararo remains Yamaha’s fastest rider overall, he has acknowledged mixed feelings toward the V4’s early behaviour. The increase in top speed is a clear step forward, but the bike’s agility — long a strength of Yamaha’s inline-four era — has proven more demanding to exploit. In contrast, Razgatlioglu appears more comfortable with the V4’s character, which aligns closely with his aggressive braking-based riding style.

This contrast has fuelled what paddock insiders describe as a developing “cold war” within Yamaha. Under the technical guidance of Alberto Giribuola, Razgatlioglu has already closed to within approximately 0.6 seconds of Quartararo — a remarkably small margin for a rider only days into his MotoGP experience.

The broader strategic context adds further tension. With Quartararo’s long-term future increasingly linked to a potential move in 2027, Yamaha faces growing pressure to accelerate its V4 development timeline. Razgatlioglu’s early performance has positioned him as a credible focal point for that process, rather than a long-term project.

Attention now turns to the Official MotoGP Sepang Test from February 3–5, when the full grid will be on track. Razgatlioglu’s consistency over longer runs, and Quartararo’s ability to fully unlock the V4’s potential, will determine whether this internal rivalry is an early-season anomaly or the first sign of a genuine shift in Yamaha’s internal hierarchy.