Yamaha is relying on four drivers for its MotoGP shakedown in Sepang, including Andrea Dovizioso – the manufacturer is pushing ahead with the development of the new V4 engine
Yamaha can count on the experience of ex-MotoGP rider Andrea Dovizioso at this week’s shakedown test at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia.
Concessionary manufacturers Yamaha and Honda, along with MotoGP rookies Ai Ogura, Somkiat Chantra and Fermin Aldeguer, will take part in the first pre-season test of the year at the Malaysian circuit from January 31 to February 2.
Yamaha had already confirmed that its regular riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins will be present at Sepang, as will new test rider Augusto Fernandez.
Dovizioso to help with development
The latter has been added to the test team after leaving Tech3-GasGas at the end of 2024 and takes on an important role at Yamaha, as test driver Cal Crutchlow has been sidelined with a hand injury. Few believe the Briton will ever get back on a MotoGP bike.
The big news, however, is that the trio will be joined by former Grand Prix star Andrea Dovizioso, as Yamaha look to close the gap on the frontrunners.
On Tuesday, Dovizioso showed in an Insta-Story how he is preparing for his return to the M1 with physical training. Although the Italian is best known for his time at Ducati, he competed in 19 races for Petronas and RNF Yamaha in the final stages of his career. In 2012, he already rode for Tech3-Yamaha.
V4 project from Yamaha before first acid test
Since his retirement, Dovizioso has been working with Yamaha behind the scenes and playing a key role in the development of the manufacturer’s new V4 engine.
Yamaha factory rider Alex Rins revealed in December that Yamaha had wanted to test the new engine for the first time in December, but had not managed to get it ready in time. With Dovizioso’s involvement in the Sepang test team, the likelihood increases that the new V4 engine will now finally make its debut on the track.
The Japanese manufacturer has kept the V4 project largely under wraps and only officially admitted its existence last year. Since the shakedown test at Sepang is largely closed to the public, Yamaha can test the engine without attracting too much attention.
However, Yamaha does not plan to race with the new V4 engine at the start of the season. The change is not expected to happen until the second half of the 2025 season.
After Suzuki’s withdrawal from MotoGP at the end of the 2022 season, Yamaha is the only manufacturer in the premier class to continue using an inline four-cylinder engine, while all its competitors have already switched to a V-configuration.