Pramac says Yamaha unlikely to be competitive early in 2027

Pramac does not expect Yamaha to be at the front from the start of MotoGP's 850cc era, but believes the Japanese manufacturer can close the gap by the end of the 2027 season. Yamaha has overhauled the M1 this year with a new V4 engine and is now working on a major shift as new technical regulations come into force for the next campaign, covering engine capacity, aerodynamics, ride-height devices and the tyre supplier.

Pramac team manager Gino Borsoi said the new rules give Yamaha a chance to start from zero after two seasons near the bottom of the order. He said the team hopes to start the new season in better shape with more speed, while noting that nobody yet knows where the other factories stand. Team manager Paolo Bonora has also suggested the M1 may carry a deficit in the early races of 2027.

Yamaha slipped backwards this year, as its switch to a V4 bike did not deliver the gains hoped for. The brand will carry the V4 layout into 2027 even as displacement drops from 1000cc to 850cc, and the competitive picture is expected to become clearer at pre-season testing in February.