Yamaha Racing managing director Paolo Pavesio admits the factory has \u201cquite a mountain to climb\u201d with its new V4-powered MotoGP machine.<\/p>\n
After making wild-card appearances alongside the Inline M1 last season, Yamaha\u2019s new V4 is making a full-time MotoGP<\/a> debut in 2026.<\/p>\n But the opening Buriram round highlighted the size of the task ahead.<\/p>\n The best Yamaha <\/a>was just 16th in qualifying for Fabio Quartararo<\/a>, while Jack Miller<\/a> finished 15th in the Sprint and Quartararo 14th in the grand prix.<\/p>\n The V4 was around one second per lap off the leaders in Thailand, with the expected rear-grip gains yet to appear and engine performance still trailing rival manufacturers.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n However, Yamaha\u2019s decision was also influenced by the future 2027 aerodynamic regulations, which favour a narrower machine for the new 850cc era.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are on a journey which we decided to start last year, anticipating a project based on a new engine and a completely new concept,\u201d Pavesio said after the Thai Grand Prix, where he spoke to the media in place of Quartararo and Alex Rins.<\/p>\n \u201cNow we see very clearly what the gap is, and we understand that we have quite a mountain to climb. But we are committed, as we were before when we took the decision, to make those steps, one after the other.<\/p>\n \u201cOur riders gave 110%, the company is giving 110%, and we will keep doing so, and this is the only way. There will be no magic, one step after the other, one second after the other.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are determined to grow the project up to the moment we will be competitive again.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Pressed on the timescale needed to make the V4 competitive, Pavesio replied:<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s very difficult to give a number. It’s clear we are discovering things every time we go on track that we have to improve.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are still understanding, I would say, the base setting of the machine.<\/p>\n “Luckily, thanks to concessions, we can do much more [development] than the others. And that is why in this season we are going to see, learn, change and improve.\u00a0<\/p>\n “So I expect this season to have a growing trajectory.”<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n