The MotoGP world was rocked today by a shocking revelation from Yamaha. The much-anticipated V4 engine and the latest upgrades for their 2025 season have not delivered as expected, leaving the team in a state of crisis. The new parts, which were supposed to propel Yamaha back into title contention, have reportedly failed to meet performance expectations. As the team faces a major setback, none other than Yamaha’s star rider, Fabio Quartararo, has openly voiced his frustration in a brutal statement that has sent shockwaves through the paddock.

For months, Yamaha fans and MotoGP pundits alike have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new V4 engine, a critical piece of Yamaha’s plan to return to the top of the sport. After years of struggling with the M1’s inline-four configuration, the decision to shift to a V4 was seen as a bold move to address the team’s performance issues, particularly in terms of top-end power and acceleration.

Yamaha’s new engine was expected to solve many of the issues that had plagued them in recent seasons, such as the lack of horsepower compared to their rivals like Ducati and Honda. In testing, the bike was expected to show marked improvements, especially on tracks that demand high-speed performance and straight-line speed. However, the initial feedback from Quartararo and his teammate, Franco Morbidelli, has been nothing short of disastrous.

Reports from Yamaha insiders suggest that the V4 engine has been riddled with technical problems, with both riders struggling to extract the expected performance from the new power unit. The engine, which was supposed to offer more torque and smoother power delivery, has instead caused issues with reliability and throttle response, making it difficult for the riders to manage during races.

Fabio Quartararo, who has long been the face of Yamaha’s MotoGP program, did not hold back in his criticism of the new engine and upgrades. The Frenchman, known for his candidness, spoke openly about his frustration with the team’s lack of progress.

“It’s simply not what we expected,” Quartararo said bluntly. “We were all excited for this new engine, and we thought it would be the turning point for Yamaha. But it’s been a huge disappointment so far. We’ve had issues with power delivery, and the bike just doesn’t feel right. I’m struggling to find the consistency I need to push at the front. It’s frustrating because I know we have the potential, but this new engine is holding us back.”

Quartararo’s frustration was palpable as he explained how the new parts—beyond just the engine—haven’t lived up to expectations either. The new chassis components and aerodynamics, which were supposed to give the bike better stability and agility, have failed to improve the M1’s handling to the level required to compete with the likes of Ducati and KTM. Quartararo was particularly vocal about the lack of balance, especially in cornering stability.

“We’ve tried everything,” he continued, “but we’re still not where we need to be. The new engine hasn’t given us the power boost we expected, and the bike’s balance is still inconsistent. We can’t even talk about fighting for podiums right now with these issues. It’s not just me—Franco is also struggling with the same problems. The whole team is frustrated.”

For Yamaha, the timing couldn’t be worse. While Ducati, KTM, and Honda have made significant strides in recent seasons, Yamaha’s performance has been lagging behind. The new V4 engine was supposed to be the game-changer, the catalyst for a return to the front, but instead, it seems to have only deepened the team’s problems.

Ducati, in particular, has dominated the MotoGP grid in recent years, with their Desmosedici V4 engine proving to be the most powerful and consistent power unit on the grid. The arrival of the Yamaha V4 was seen as a necessary counter to Ducati’s dominance, but as things stand, it appears that Yamaha is still not able to match up to their rivals.

Even though the Yamaha M1 has historically been known for its agility and handling, the lack of raw power compared to the Ducati and KTM bikes has been a major disadvantage. Quartararo’s raw talent has allowed him to extract strong results even in less-than-ideal conditions, but with these ongoing engine and technical problems, the prospect of Yamaha breaking their title drought seems more distant than ever.

With the 2025 season fast approaching, Yamaha has no choice but to quickly address these issues if they hope to mount a competitive challenge. The pressure is mounting on both Quartararo and Yamaha’s engineers to fix the problems with the V4 engine and bring the bike back into competitive shape. The Frenchman, who has consistently been one of the most talented riders on the grid, has made it clear that he’s not willing to settle for mediocrity, especially with his title aspirations at stake.

It remains to be seen how Yamaha will react to this setback. There are whispers that the team may revert to the previous inline-four configuration, or perhaps continue to tweak the V4 in the hopes of ironing out the kinks. However, given the rapid progress of their rivals, the team may not have the luxury of time to make such drastic changes. They will need to act quickly if they want to avoid falling further behind.

As for Quartararo, the 2025 season will be a test of his resolve. The talented rider has shown he can win races, but with the technical difficulties plaguing Yamaha, his chances of adding another world title to his name seem slimmer than ever. His candid comments show just how frustrated he is with the situation, but it also highlights his determination to see Yamaha succeed, even if it means speaking brutally honest truths.

The leaked news about Yamaha’s V4 engine and new parts not working has sent shockwaves through the MotoGP paddock. Quartararo’s brutally honest assessment of the situation reflects just how dire the situation is for the team, and it’s clear that Yamaha needs to make swift changes if they are to compete for championships in 2025. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is mounting—will Yamaha bounce back from this setback, or will their rivals continue to leave them in the dust? Only time will tell, but for now, Yamaha faces one of its most critical seasons in recent memory.