Yamaha wants to make progress in MotoGP and the engine is one of the key areas where it needs to improve – by making more power. However, it wants to do so without giving up its inline four-cylinder concept, according to Lin Jarvis – Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing and Team Principal of the MotoGP team. By 2023, without Suzuki, it will be the only manufacturer with that architecture.
In an interview with the website Crash.net, the Brit explained this option: ‘We’ve decided to stick with the Inline four. With Suzuki stepping out we’re the only manufacturer to continue with it, but we have a lot of knowledge and expertise with the Inline four and in our opinion, it’s not the format of the engine that is the restriction.’
Jarvis also said there is a belief that there remains room to make progress with the current concept: ‘Of course, each engine type has different characteristics. But the inline four per se still has quite a bit of room for further development. So that’s what we’re busy with at the moment.’