Yamaha's MotoGP team faced a challenging situation during the Sepang test, but they're confident it's now under control. The issue began when Fabio Quartararo and Toprak Razgatlioglu encountered technical problems with their new V4 machines on day one. This was initially overshadowed by the news that Quartararo had also broken a finger in a separate incident, forcing him to withdraw from the rest of the test.
However, the garage doors remained closed for other Yamaha riders on day two, indicating a serious technical issue. After overnight checks, Yamaha's riders were given the green light to resume testing on the final day, but with restrictions on mileage and intensity.
Alex Rins, Yamaha's fastest rider on the final day, explained the team's cautious approach. He said they had already tested the major components at the Shakedown and the first day of the official test, but the team still couldn't afford to lose any track time.
"We didn't do any setting on the bike. Our plan was to try minimal items and focus on suspension and forks. Unfortunately, we couldn't do that due to the issue," Rins said.
When asked about the cause, Rins revealed that Yamaha explained it was due to engine failures by Quartararo and Razgatlioglu. The team wanted to ensure safety by thoroughly checking everything.
"They identified the problem and gave us the go-ahead to ride. Yamaha is confident it's under control. We'll have more engines for Thailand, so we can ride more freely," Rins added.
Rins completed 26 laps in the morning, setting Yamaha's fastest lap of the test with a time of 1m 57.580s. He then added just ten more laps in the afternoon.
Here's a table comparing Rins' lap time with other Yamaha riders' best laps at Sepang since 2025:
| Rider | 2026 Official Test (V4) | 2026 Shakedown Test (V4) | 2025 Official Test (Inline4) | 2025 Malaysian GP Qualifying (Inline4) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fabio Quartararo | 1m 57.869s* | 1m 57.690s | 1m 56.724s | 1m 57.195s |
| Alex Rins | 1m 57.580s | 1m 57.892s | 1m 57.351s | 1m 57.945s |
| Jack Miller | 1m 58.156s | 1m 57.908s | 1m 57.452s | 1m 57.949s |
| Toprak Razgatlioglu | 1m 58.326s | 1m 58.465s | N/A | N/A |
*Did not ride on Day 3.
For context, the fastest lap time at the 2025 Sepang test was a 1m 56.493s by Alex Marquez, who nearly matched that with a 1m 56.402s to lead the 2026 test.
Yamaha riders also skipped the practice start sessions on the final day to preserve the remaining engines. Fortunately, Yamaha's concession status gives its race riders extra track time at the Shakedown and the ability to hold private tests. The factory is also free to modify the V4's engine design throughout the season to address any faults.
The final official pre-season test will take place at Buriram from February 21-22. Stay tuned for more updates as the MotoGP season approaches!
