Jack Miller Sends Yamaha V4 Into Q2 as Toprak Razgatlioglu Struggles With “Ice-Like” Grip

Jack Miller delivered Yamaha’s new V4 package directly into Q2 at the 2026 Catalunya MotoGP after a competitive Friday performance in Barcelona. Meanwhile, team-mate Toprak Razgatlioglu endured a far more difficult day, describing Catalunya’s low-grip conditions as “riding on ice”.

The Prima Pramac Yamaha rider finished practice in ninth position, only around two tenths behind session leader Pedro Acosta. The result marked Miller’s first direct Q2 appearance of the season and provided another encouraging sign that Yamaha’s V4 development project is beginning to move in the right direction after showing progress with Fabio Quartararo at Le Mans.

Miller explained that Barcelona was one of the circuits where he had already tested the V4 prototype previously. Although the bike has evolved significantly since last year’s early version, the Australian believes Yamaha is gradually understanding the optimal operating window of the machine, particularly in low-grip conditions.

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"When you say two tenths and ninth, it doesn't even sound real! I felt good from the get-go here in Barcelona," Miller told MotoGP.com.

"Obviously, we're still missing some straight-line speed. I think we're about 11 to 12 km/h down in the speed trap, but thankfully here you're only really using the power on the main straight. The rest of the track, because there's no grip, you're just trying to find traction," he added.

From a technical standpoint, Yamaha’s progress appeared most visible in rear traction stability and corner exit control through Catalunya’s long-radius turns. The V4 engine is believed to be delivering smoother acceleration characteristics compared to Yamaha’s previous configuration, although the lack of top speed remains a major weakness against Ducati and KTM.

Miller also credited Yamaha’s improving competitiveness to the combined efforts of race weekend development and intensive work from the manufacturer’s test programme involving Augusto Fernandez and Andrea Dovizioso. According to the Australian, the Catalunya result represented an important morale boost after a difficult period for Yamaha’s engineering group.

"We're making headway, absolutely. It's going to take trial and error, testing and tweaking. I know it's only a Friday, but it's a little breath of fresh air after what's been a really trying time for all the engineers involved," Miller said.

Razgatlioglu, however, experienced a much more complicated adaptation process during his first MotoGP weekend at Catalunya. The reigning WorldSBK champion finished only 19th fastest, although the gap to the front remained relatively small at 0.821 seconds.

"This morning was incredible, but not in a good way, because honestly I felt like I had zero grip. It felt like I was riding on ice," Razgatlioglu admitted.

The Turkish rider revealed he even returned to the garage to ask whether there was a technical issue with the Yamaha before eventually understanding that the conditions were the same for every rider. After following Quartararo on track, Razgatlioglu said he began learning how much more trust MotoGP riders place on the front tyre compared to WorldSBK machinery.

That adaptation process remains one of the biggest challenges for Razgatlioglu because Michelin MotoGP tyres and prototype aerodynamics require a completely different riding approach compared to production-based superbikes. Catalunya itself is considered one of the most technically demanding circuits for front tyre management due to its long corners and naturally low grip surface.

Despite Razgatlioglu’s difficulties, Yamaha leaves Friday in Barcelona with growing optimism that its V4 project is moving toward a more competitive level. With Miller securing direct Q2 access and Razgatlioglu continuing to adapt to MotoGP demands, Yamaha now hopes to build further momentum heading into the sprint race and Sunday’s grand prix.