AUGUSTO FERNANDEZ RUNS YAMAHA TEST PROGRAM IN SILVERSTONE AS M1 2027 DEVELOPMENT STEPS UP

Yamaha’s test programme continues to revolve around a future MotoGP machine, with test rider Augusto Fernández again appearing at a Grand Prix weekend via wildcard—this time at Silverstone after earlier outings in Jerez, Barcelona and Assen. Yamaha was granted six wildcard appearances in total, and Fernández used the opportunity to gather data in race conditions rather than treating the sessions as simple practice.

In the Silverstone race, Fernández finished as the fifth Yamaha on the day, placing 16th overall. He was immediately encouraged by how close he could get to a fellow Yamaha rider in the rookie group: “With the race I was satisfied. In the end I was able to reduce the gap to Toprak. It is good for me to be so close to another Yamaha.” The report notes that Fernández’s main job—testing—was also fulfilled in a technical sense: he completed all eight races he was entered for, delivering “full points” in terms of data collection.

The broader context is Yamaha’s transition away from the outgoing engine concept. The report explains that the inline-four concept was dropped at the end of 2025, and that Fernández had already debuted the completely new V4 M1 later in the season, again through a wildcard appearance. The approach is linked to Yamaha’s technical leadership under Max Bartolini, with the key point being that Yamaha has effectively been testing the 2027 direction for close to a year. While the work looks, from the outside, like standard race-pace testing, the emphasis is described as being on what the programme can deliver for the next rule cycle.

That long-term focus comes with a trade-off. Since Yamaha has shifted its development priorities toward the new 850cc era and the 2027 project, development of the current 1000cc MotoGP Yamaha is said to have slowed dramatically, with progress largely limited to areas relevant to the forthcoming 850cc regulations. The consequences are reflected in the manufacturer standings: Yamaha is described as being “hopelessly left behind,” with a comparison to the previous year’s position showing a significant points deficit. The best Yamaha rider in the championship at the time of the report is Fabio Quartararo in 14th, followed by Miller in 19th, Rins in 20th, and Razgatlioglu in 21st.

Despite the results, the report suggests Yamaha may have a competitive advantage in the 850cc direction. It argues that the 1000cc bike Fernández has been running is likely closer to the 2027 M1—using reduced displacement—than to the current 1000cc prototype that is described as largely unchanged in the base configuration for the four regular riders.

Looking ahead, Yamaha’s plan is to use the early start and fresh rider involvement to return to the front. The first concrete answers are expected at the Valencia test on 1 December, when Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura will be on track for the first time with the 850cc M1.

Finally, the report highlights that Fernández’s role is set to change with the new season. In 2027, wildcard entries will not be permitted. As a result, Fernández will only be able to participate as a replacement rider against the competition.