The idea of Yamaha switching to a V4 engine in 2025 during an engine freeze seems 'unfair' to Aprilia boss.

In recent weeks the rumour mill has been turning in the MotoGP paddock, but this time not about a rider. It has been theorised that Yamaha could be producing a V4 engine for the 2025 MotoGP season. This would see the end of inline-four engines in MotoGP as every manufacturer would be running V4s.

The only issue with this rumour is the potential engine freeze that could be on the way for 2025 and 2026. With the technical changes coming for 2027, engines will be lowered to 850cc from the current 1000cc. With these new regulations, Dorna has proposed an engine freeze for the next two seasons so the manufacturers focus on the 2027 engines.

Recently the Aprilia Racing boss, Massimo Rivola, spoke to SPEEDWEEK.com about the 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-cylinder engine, then that's fine with me as long as they are classified in the current D category of the concessions rule.

"But if they end up in C, then that won't work. Yamaha is against the freezing of development, not us. They have presented us with a proposal that I don't think is fair."

Rivola was then asked about what direction Aprilia would go for the 2027 engine. The Italian confirmed that Aprilia will stick with a V4 for the future as it's 'the right way to go'.

"It will be a V4 engine," Rivola stated. "I'm not an engine builder, but the history and the mechanical properties speak for this concept. Also the aerodynamics and the engine performance itself.

"The fact that Yamaha is also thinking about a V4 for the future underlines that this is the right way to go."