Yamaha lap times: Jack Miller breaks inline qualifying time in 2026 V4 debut

Since confirming that Yamaha is creating a brand new V4-powered MotoGP machine, the manufacturing facility has set itself the clear purpose of constructing it at the very least as aggressive as the present inline-engined M1 as shortly as doable.

The prototypes seen final season had been a transparent step again from inline bikes, particularly with restricted engine efficiency, however Jack Miller loved an encouraging debut with the newest model of the V4 at Friday’s Sepang MotoGP Shakedown.

Miller, who skipped the primary day, joined manufacturing facility riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins and accomplished the primary lap of the preseason on the second day.

This race ended with the Pramac rider not solely taking the highest spot on the MotoGP time sheet for the primary time regardless of the restricted rider lineup, but additionally beating his personal inline qualifying time (eleventh on the grid) eventually October’s Malaysian Grand Prix.

Miller’s subsequent purpose can be his private finest time of 1:57.452 at Inline Sepang, which he recorded in an official check a yr in the past (see desk beneath). Nonetheless, with yet another day of shakedown and three days of official testing, this quantity is more likely to drop.

Nonetheless, he nonetheless has a strategy to go to match Quartararo’s 1 minute 57.195 seconds in qualifying final season, when he certified fourth on the grid.

An excellent greater problem is Yamaha’s all-time Sepang report of 1 minute 56.724 seconds, set by Quartararo throughout testing final yr. The lap was later described by the Frenchman as “faux” because of the near-perfect observe circumstances.

The previous MotoGP champion, who was reported to be leaving Yamaha for Honda in 2027, began 2026 with a finest time of 1 minute 58.135 seconds on Friday.

Rinsing additionally has room for enchancment in comparison with the inline M1. The Spaniard recorded a time of 1 minute 58.657 seconds on the primary day of shakedown, in comparison with final yr’s qualifying time of 1 minute 57.945 seconds and the check time of 1 minute 57.351 seconds.

Miller’s rookie Pramac teammate, Toprak Razgatlioglu, competed on each days of the shakedown and his finest lap so far was 1:58.805.

Rating by shakedown time in 2026.