Pramac does not expect Yamaha to challenge at the front immediately when MotoGP introduces its 850cc regulations, but the team believes the Japanese manufacturer can reduce the gap by the end of the 2027 season.
Yamaha has already redesigned the M1 around a V4 engine this year and is now preparing for another significant change as new technical regulations take effect next season.
The revised rules cover engine capacity, aerodynamics, ride-height devices and the tyre supplier, forcing manufacturers to commit substantial resources to clean-sheet designs.
Pramac regards the new regulations as a “great chance” for Yamaha to “start from zero” and become competitive again after spending the past two seasons at the bottom of the order.
However, team manager Gino Borsoi has tempered expectations, suggesting the M1 could begin 2027 with a performance deficit.
“We have a great chance next year. New rules and new bikes for everybody. We will have to start more or less from zero,” Borsoi told Motorsport.com.
Gino Borsoi, Team Manager, Pramac Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
“It will be the second year for the Yamaha V4 engine. For sure, this season was the season where we learned a lot. Next one, I hope we can start in a better shape with more speed. But nobody knows where the other factories are.
“We had some tests during the season. Actually, we are not so far compared to this season. So, let’s see. It should be interesting at the beginning of the season to see where the other factories are compared to us.
“It is a huge work for Yamaha and for us. But it is a new season, a new chapter for all of us. Maybe we can close the gap between us and other factories. It is our target.
“We don’t expect to be there immediately. But during the season, I think we can close the gap.”
Yamaha slipped backwards in MotoGP this year, with its switch to a V4-powered bike failing to deliver the expected gains. The manufacturer, previously the only one to retain an inline-four motor, will continue with the V4 configuration in 2027 even as engine displacement drops from 1000cc to 850cc.
Jack Miller, Pramac Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / Getty Images
Although the competitive order may not become clear until pre-season testing in February, Yamaha had an early chance to compare its 2027 bike with rivals during an official Pirelli test at the Red Bull Ring in September.
Pramac believes outright power will remain a weakness for Yamaha based on the performance of its 2027 prototype, with the Iwata-based brand still developing its understanding of V4 engines.
Borsoi is nevertheless hopeful that Yamaha can “make a real jump forward” in engine performance with a few updates by late 2027.
“We are just at the beginning,” he added. “We know that Austria, due to the track layout, is quite difficult on the engine side, with high demand on performance. We are still struggling in that area. But Yamaha is working hard on that.
“I hope that in the wintertime we can make a small step forward to be ready at the beginning. But we know that we are still not strong enough in that area. I expect that from the middle or end of the season we can make a real jump forward.”
Pramac, formerly part of Ducati’s satellite structure before forming a new relationship with Yamaha, is playing a key role in helping the manufacturer prepare for the upcoming regulations.
“At Pramac, we are really happy to be part of that project,” Borsoi said. “We have tried to give all our effort. Actually, we have planned to go to Japan at the beginning of the season to pick up the bike and give all our tips.
“Let’s see. It’s an interesting project. Luckily, we start from zero next year with the new rules, so we have a chance.
“We are working hard again. Because in Austria, we test different parts, different updates. And at that time, not only one on track, but also the Monster [Yamaha] team was on track. Izan [Guevera] also tested the bike in Austria, which was a really great test, and I was surprised by his performance at the time.”