KTM arrived at the Sepang test with a revised 2026 RC16 package, featuring a new chassis concept, updated aero parts, and a new swingarm. The team opted to split its factory program between development and consolidation. The strategy paid early dividends after the team completed the opening day as the second-fastest on the timesheets behind Ducati, with Tech3’s Maverick Viñales posting a late 1:57.295 that underlined early pace. KTM used the day to validate the new parts. The team ran a dual approach with Pedro Acosta concentrated on chassis and aerodynamic development, while Brad Binder followed a more conservative program aimed at regaining outright speed.

Acosta, 21, described the new shortened chassis as “promising” and said the configuration was “working,” but he also reported unusual vibrations from the very first lap and limited his opening-day running. He spent his morning exploring chassis setups, used more of his tire allocation than planned, completed an early medium-tire run before switching to softs, and finished 15th on the combined times. He left the day, planning further aero work to improve turning and front-end stability. Acosta’s program prioritized feel and component evaluation over time-attack laps, and KTM noted these early mechanical and stability signals while managing run plans.

Binder, 30, posted consistent lap times around 2:00.2–2:00.3 and initially rode the same chassis he used in Valencia, reporting little chattering as he worked on pace. He also compared the new swingarm against the older design to assess differences, while Acosta focused on aero and chassis feel. Both riders and the factory expected Wednesday to be the main day for further aerodynamic and component evaluations, and KTM said a more definitive assessment of tire behavior and the updated package should become clearer towards the end of the test. The opening session, therefore, underscored KTM’s two-track strategy and highlighted the specific areas, including front-end stability, vibrations, and tire behavior, that the team needs to address before the season.

Jorge Martín attended the Sepang test but did not ride as he continues to recover from surgery following the Valencia round. He said the pain after Valencia had been so severe he “couldn’t even hold a glass in my hand,” and that a second operation using bone grafts was needed to stabilise his collarbone. That procedure required four weeks of immobilisation rather than the two days after an earlier operation. Martín said he had six surgeries in 2025, including interventions on his hand and collarbone, and that he rejected doctors’ recommendations to postpone some procedures into the following year. He added that the experience taught him not to rush returns to the bike after a difficult campaign.

Martín reported he is “much better” than he was in Valencia, with improved strength in his collarbone and hand, though mobility still needs work. He said he can “see the light” toward full fitness and aims to get back on the bike for the season-opening Buriram tests if he passes a medical check scheduled for Monday. Aprilia confirmed he would not ride at Sepang because of late-year procedures.

He said part of his team is working on his future while he concentrates on rehabilitation, and he praised teammate Marco Bezzecchi’s contract renewal as a positive for the team environment.

Responding to reports linking him to Yamaha for 2027, Martín denied he had already signed and reiterated he wants to focus on Aprilia and this season, the final year of his deal. He acknowledged the rider market is moving quickly, and there is no fixed deadline on negotiations. Overall, his message at Sepang combined a medical update, a firm focus on the upcoming season with Aprilia, and a measured denial of transfer rumours, while allowing the behind‑the‑scenes planning for his next contract to continue.

Fabio Quartararo crashed at Turn 5 on the opening day of the Sepang MotoGP test, falling on his third lap and being taken to the circuit medical centre. Initial checks ruled out fractures but found abrasions to his left arm. But a later assessment revealed a broken finger on his right hand and a sore arm. He returned in the afternoon, added laps, and posted the ninth-fastest time on Yamaha’s much-changed V4 M1, but Yamaha and Quartararo ended his Sepang program after a total of 24 laps (eight in the morning, 16 in the afternoon) so the finger could heal.

The early exit cost Yamaha valuable test time at a session dedicated to assessing the new V4 package. Other V4-related problems emerged during the test, including Andrea Dovizioso stopping with a problem, and team principal Massimo Meregalli even suggested the team might consider benching a rider if necessary. Quartararo himself said the new V4 remained “very, very far” from where it needed to be for one-lap pace and race performance. Yamaha therefore lost on-track data and setup time that had been earmarked for refining handling, electronics, and race pace ahead of the season.

Yamaha and Quartararo prioritised recovery with the Thailand GP opener and a Buriram test (Feb 21–22) in mind. The rider confirmed he planned to skip the rest of Sepang to be fit for those next outings. The withdrawal underlined the preseason trade-off between protecting rider health and securing development mileage on radically updated machinery.

Separately, reports linking Quartararo to a Honda deal for 2027–28 were noted during the test, raising the prospect that 2026 might be his final season with Yamaha.

At the Sepang pre‑season test in early February, Yamaha’s new V4 YZR‑M1 program was disrupted by two incidents. Fabio Quartararo crashed late on the opening day at Turn 5, fracturing the middle finger of his right hand. In addition, his bike suffered an unexplained engine/electronics stoppage and was left dead on track, with engineers were unable to determine a definitive cause that evening.

With safety paramount, Yamaha closed its factory and Pramac garages and kept all six Yamaha machines, including those of Quartararo, Alex Rins, Jack Miller, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, Augusto Fernández, and Andrea Dovizioso in the pits. This gave breathing room to the technical teams from Japan and Italy to carry out on‑site inspections and further factory diagnostics.

Technical director Max Bartolini and team management described the halt as a precaution while they sought confirmation from the factory. Paddock reporting said similar issues had been seen in earlier shakedowns, and some sources suggested overheating as a possible factor; others described the fault as an electronics stoppage, so accounts varied on the precise nature of the failure.

Overnight collaboration between Yamaha’s Italian and Japanese engineers produced a temporary fix that allowed the V4 machines to return to track on the final day of the Sepang test. The bikes were reported to be running with reduced power/RPM as a precaution. On the re‑entry morning Rins, Miller and Razgatlıoğlu completed a combined 74 laps, with Rins the quickest of the trio and 12th overall, 1.178 seconds off the morning pace set by Álex Márquez. Yamaha confirmed Quartararo would not ride again at Sepang and would return to Europe for medical checks. He is expected to target the next test in Buriram on February 21–22.

The interruption cost Yamaha valuable setup and development time on a completely redesigned V4 project introduced in 2025 and intended to run through the 2026 regulations year. Engineers stressed the importance of factory‑validated fixes before resuming full program activity. Team bosses including Paolo Pavesio and Massimo Meregalli said rider safety guided the decision to pause running, while the overnight fix underlined rapid mobilization between Yamaha’s bases to keep the V4 program on schedule. Although running resumed with mitigations, Yamaha’s Sepang test plan remained affected until diagnostics were completed and a clear, safe path forward was confirmed.