– Pramac team manager Gino Borsoi has firmly defended the development of the new Yamaha V4 project and significantly relativized the criticism of the manufacturer.
At the MotoGP test in Jerez last Monday, the former racer made it clear that the expectations for the still young project were often unrealistic from his point of view, especially compared to the established V4 competition.
“I don’t understand why people think Yamaha is not doing a great job at the moment,” Borsoi states. In fact, the current situation is even positive from his perspective: “Honestly, it is better for me than I expected.”
“This is a completely new motorcycle. The other manufacturers have had a finished V4 motorcycle for several years. And they are only trying to improve details.”
Therefore, the situation fundamentally differs from that of the competition, which has been working with V4 concepts for years. Yamaha is the last MotoGP manufacturer to switch to this engine architecture. The V4 was initially tested last season in parallel with the previous inline four-cylinder and was finally adopted as the sole basis for the racing program this season.
Borsoi: “We are an open construction site”
However, the current 2026 season is difficult: both the factory team and Pramac-Yamaha have mostly been in the lower points positions so far – if at all. The criticism of the project is correspondingly loud, especially from the riders’ environment, including factory rider Fabio Quartararo.
Borsoi sees the situation more nuanced and points to the early development stage of the project. “We are an open construction site. Every time we go to the track, we discover things. Every time you realize you made a mistake, and you make progress,” explains the team manager.
He also clarifies that the current motorcycle has only recently been used under real conditions. “This motorcycle was actually only ridden for the first time three months ago in Malaysia,” Borsoi recalls the MotoGP winter tests where the current version of the bike debuted.
He warns: “You can’t expect this motorcycle to be at the same level as the other V4 bikes when [they] have already perfected the details.”
Borsoi considers direct comparisons unfair
A direct comparison with the established V4 projects of the competition is therefore not productive from his point of view: “We are trying to get a project to work. There are two philosophies. Two completely different levels.”
Therefore, Borsoi wishes for more recognition. “Considering that we are one second, one and a half seconds behind those who have always competed in the world championship [with the V4] and have developed their bikes to the maximum level, this seems to me a great job.”
Photo series: History of the YZR-M1: All MotoGP bikes from Yamaha since 2002
Also with regard to the upcoming technical regulations of MotoGP, Borsoi defends Yamaha’s strategy. From 2027, the displacement will be reduced from 1000 to 850cc, which changes the technical starting point for all manufacturers.
“We have to keep in mind that the bike next year will not be very different from what we have now,” he explains. Rather, the current project is already closely linked to the future: it is the basis of the 2027 project.”
“I don’t think much will change, as far as I know. Therefore, it is very important for us that this motorcycle starts to work in order to be ready for 2027.”
