After returning from a MotoGP weekend, Alex Rins reflected on the race and shared his thoughts. During an interview at Valencia’s season finale, the Monster Yamaha rider noted that Aprilia has made significant progress, now matching Ducati’s level. He also observed that Honda has shown substantial improvement, with riders like Johann Zarco leading early in the season and Marc Marini and Joan Mir following suit, delivering excellent results. Rins acknowledged that Yamaha currently seems to be lagging behind but emphasized that the future is still unwritten.
While Ducati secured the riders’, constructors’, and teams’ titles, Aprilia achieved three wins in the last four Grands Prix, boosted by Marc Marquez’s injury. Honda earned 285 constructor points, its best performance since 2019, which helped it exit the lowest D concession zone. Meanwhile, Yamaha managed podium finishes with Fabio Quartararo and nearly won the British Grand Prix, although their inline engine’s performance has declined, leading the factory to focus on a new V4 machine set to debut in 2026.
Rins confirmed that Yamaha made some bike improvements this season but mainly concentrated efforts on the V4 project. The decision to switch to a V4 design was reinforced by feedback from four of Yamaha’s race-winning riders, who consistently pointed out similar issues with the inline engine, particularly a lack of rear grip. He highlighted the value of having diverse riders with different styles sharing their common concerns to guide development.
Rins, who earned the last MotoGP win on an inline engine during Suzuki’s farewell race in Valencia 2022, believes that Yamaha has likely pushed its current engine to its limits. He stressed the need for continuous improvements and acknowledged Yamaha’s extensive efforts to enhance the engine, which seem to have exhausted its potential. As a result, Yamaha has opted to redesign the engine in hopes of achieving better performance.
Ahead of testing the new Yamaha V4 at Valencia, Rins expressed anticipation for the project, noting that the team will be experimenting with different elements every ride. He looks forward to seeing what developments emerge both in Valencia and at the forthcoming Sepang tests in February.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for MotoGP fans as it signals a major shift in Yamaha’s approach, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape. Yamaha’s new V4 engine project could spark fresh competition and innovation, making the upcoming seasons even more thrilling for racing enthusiasts.
