Aprilia finds Yamaha’s engine proposal “unfair”

The idea of ​​Yamaha switching to a V4 engine in 2025 during an engine freeze seems “unfair” to the Aprilia boss.

In recent weeks, rumors have started to circulate in the MotoGP paddock, but this time it is not about a rider. It has been suggested that Yamaha could produce a V4 engine for the 2025 MotoGP season. This would mean the end of inline four-cylinder engines in MotoGP, as all manufacturers would use V4s.

The only problem with this rumor is the potential engine freeze that could be considered for 2025 and 2026. With the upcoming technical changes for 2027, engines will go from 1000cc to 850cc. With this new regulation, Dorna has proposed an engine freeze for the next two seasons so that manufacturers can focus on 2027 engines.

Recently, Aprilia Racing boss Massimo Rivola spoke with SPEEDWEEK.com about engine freeze and Yamaha’s potential V4 engine for 2025.

“We are absolutely not against it,” Rivola said when asked about the engine freeze. “We agree with the freeze, as long as the rules are the same for everyone. If, for example, Yamaha wants to build a V4 instead of an inline four, then that is fine with me as long as they are classified in the current category D of the dealership regulations.”

“But if they end up going to C, it won’t work. Yamaha is against the development freeze, we’re not. They’ve presented us with a proposal that I don’t think is fair.”

Rivola was then asked about the direction Aprilia would take for the 2027 engine. The Italian confirmed that Aprilia would stick with a V4 for the future because it is “the right way to go”.

“It will be a V4 engine,” Rivola said. “I am not an engine designer, but the history and the mechanical properties speak in favor of this concept. The aerodynamics and the performance of the engine itself too.”

“The fact that Yamaha is also considering a V4 for the future underlines that this is the right way to go.”