Pramac rider Jack Miller has seen first-hand the efforts of Yamaha on its latest V4 MotoGP project.
The Japanese manufacturer announced towards the end of 2025 that it would transition from the M1 engine to a V4 configuration for the 2026 season and beyond.
The Australian finished as the second-highest Yamaha rider in 2025, behind 2021 champion Fabio Quartararo.
These decisions could be seen as a key reason why Pramac retained Miller over Miguel Oliveira, with the team also signing three-time WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu.
Miller is confident that Yamaha will produce an engine that should raise its competitiveness after three winless years.
“Absolutely. And I mean, they’ve gone all-in on this new project,” he said to Crash.net.
“Obviously, the bikes are changing in 2027… but they had to do something. This is [Yamaha] proactively doing something to stay competitive.
“And then, come ‘27, they will have a whole heap more information.
“The Yamaha engineers have been busting their arses for the last 18 months. And they’ll continue probably for the next 24 [months]!
“But that’s the way it goes in this game. It’s all a learning process for what’s to come in the not-so-distant future.”
The 2027 regulations will see a major overhaul, including the abolition of the rear height device and a reduction in engine size from 1000cc to 850cc.
However, the first significant MotoGP test for Yamaha will take place in Malaysia, specifically at the Sepang Shakedown, scheduled for January 29-31.
The switch to a V4 engine represents a drastic change and an extensive project, one Miller believes will benefit Yamaha in terms of its feel with the Michelin rear tyre in 2026.
“The rear tyre. I mean, it’s a clear indication,” shared Miller.
“The rear tyre changed two-three years ago. It was always sort of leaning that way, the more Michelin developed this rear tyre.
“But to get the outright potential out of the current rear tyre, you need to have the thing on the ground. You need to be using the rear tyre for stopping, mid-corner and acceleration.
“But at the same time, you can’t overload it. It’s a narrow working window, but when it’s on, it’s f**king on!
“If you can extract the full potential out of it, it makes a massive difference.”
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