Yamaha is facing a significant challenge as it navigates technical difficulties that have arisen during the Sepang MotoGP test, particularly following issues reported by riders Fabio Quartararo and Toprak Razgatlioglu, which led to engine failures. On the final day of testing, Alex Rins stood out as the fastest among Yamaha’s riders, showcasing his skills despite the team’s cautious approach.
On the second day of the test, Yamaha’s new V4 motorcycles were sidelined while the team delved into the problems encountered by Quartararo and Razgatlioglu on the first day. This situation was exacerbated by Quartararo's unfortunate injury—he had broken a finger in an earlier crash, which ruled him out for the remainder of the testing period.
After the Yamaha garage remained closed on day two, a technical glitch was confirmed. However, following a thorough assessment overnight, Yamaha granted its riders the go-ahead to continue testing on the final day, albeit with certain limitations regarding mileage and performance intensity.
Alex Rins shared his thoughts on the situation: "Fortunately, we managed to complete most of our critical tests during the Shakedown and on the first day of the official test. It’s not that these missed opportunities didn’t matter; every moment on the track is valuable, especially in these times. We didn’t make any adjustments to the bike settings, so our goal for the last two days was simply to try out some minor components and gather data on the suspension, forks, and similar aspects. Unfortunately, due to the issues we faced previously, we weren’t able to execute our full plan. Nonetheless, I’m grateful that we could ride today. Yamaha advised us to proceed cautiously and not do excessive laps."
When asked whether Yamaha had provided clarity on the cause of the engine failures, Rins responded: "They informed us that we couldn’t ride because both Fabio and Toprak experienced engine breakdowns, and for safety reasons, it was prudent to conduct a thorough inspection. It appears they have identified the underlying issue, and they assured us that it is now under control. Additionally, more engines are set to arrive ahead of the Thailand race, enabling us to ride with greater freedom moving forward."
During the morning session, Rins completed 26 laps and clocked Yamaha’s best time of the entire test at 1 minute 57.580 seconds, which placed him 1.178 seconds behind the overall fastest rider, Alex Marquez. He then added another ten laps in the afternoon.
To illustrate Yamaha’s performance, here’s how Rins’ lap time compares to those of his teammates at Sepang since the beginning of 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 |
*Note: Quartararo did not participate on the third day.
For context, the fastest lap recorded during the 2025 Sepang test was 1 minute 56.493 seconds, achieved by Alex Marquez, who also set a remarkably similar time of 1 minute 56.402 seconds to lead the 2026 test.
To conserve their remaining engines, Yamaha riders opted out of the practice start sessions on the final day. Fortunately, Yamaha’s concession status allows its race riders to have additional track time at Sepang, including private test sessions, and the team is permitted to modify the V4 engine design throughout the season to address any emerging issues.
The last official pre-season test is scheduled to take place at Buriram from February 21 to 22. Veteran paddock reporter Peter has witnessed the ups and downs of the sport for over two decades, including the rise and retirement of iconic racer Valentino Rossi, and he remains a key figure in discussions surrounding Suzuki’s departure and Marc Marquez’s ongoing injury challenges.
