Honda Faces Potential Setback as MotoGP Concession Privileges Hang in the Balance

Honda’s recent resurgence in form has placed the Japanese manufacturer on the cusp of relinquishing its top-tier concession status in MotoGP, a development that could significantly impact its future development trajectory in the premier motorcycle racing series. With just two rounds remaining in the 2024 season, the Repsol Honda team is a mere 19 points away from graduating from Group D to Group C in MotoGP’s concession system, a move that would curtail some of the technical freedoms currently afforded to the struggling manufacturer.

The concession system, reintroduced in November 2023, serves as a mechanism to level the playing field in MotoGP, providing manufacturers facing competitive challenges with additional development opportunities. The system divides the five competing manufacturers – Ducati, Aprilia, KTM, Honda, and Yamaha – into four groups, each with varying degrees of technical latitude. The rankings are reassessed twice per season, at the halfway point and at the end, based on the percentage of total constructors’ championship points earned.

Ducati, with its overwhelming dominance in recent seasons, occupies Group A, the tier with the most stringent restrictions. No manufacturer currently resides in Group B, and the regulations stipulate that no team will enter this category regardless of final results. Aprilia and KTM are comfortably positioned in Group C, while Honda and Yamaha currently benefit from the minimal restrictions of Group D.

Honda’s potential move to Group C hinges on its performance in the final two races of the season, scheduled to take place at Portimao and Valencia. Securing at least 19 points across these two rounds would be sufficient to elevate the team into Group C, a scenario that appears increasingly likely given Honda’s improved form in recent races.

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Yamaha, on the other hand, faces a far steeper climb to reach Group C. The Iwata-based manufacturer would need to amass an improbable 64 points out of the 74 available in the final two races to make the jump, a feat that appears highly unlikely given its struggles throughout the 2024 season.

The implications of Honda’s potential loss of Group D concessions are significant. The concession system grants teams in the lower tiers several key advantages, including:

Engine Development Freedom: Teams in Group D are not subject to the engine freeze regulations that constrain manufacturers in higher tiers. This allows them to continuously develop and refine their engines throughout the season, a crucial advantage in the highly competitive world of MotoGP.
Aerodynamic Updates: Group D teams are permitted to introduce two aerodynamic updates per season, providing them with greater flexibility to improve the aerodynamic performance of their motorcycles. In contrast, teams in Group A face stricter limitations on aerodynamic development.
Private Testing: Teams in Group D have greater opportunities for private testing, allowing them to gather valuable data and refine their setups away from the pressures of race weekends.
Increased Number of Wildcard Entries: Group D teams are allowed up to six wildcard entries per season, providing them with additional opportunities to test new components and strategies in a race environment. Wildcard riders are not subject to engine specification freezes.

The potential loss of these advantages could hamper Honda’s efforts to return to the forefront of MotoGP. The Japanese manufacturer has struggled in recent years, falling behind European rivals Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM. The concessions system has provided Honda with a lifeline, allowing it to accelerate its development program and address the performance deficit.

Honda’s recent improvement in form has been driven by a combination of factors, including technical upgrades to its RC213V motorcycle and the adaptation of its riders to the machine. The team has also benefited from the experience and expertise of its star rider, Joan Mir, the 2020 MotoGP World Champion.

However, Honda’s progress remains fragile, and the loss of concession privileges could derail its recovery. The team will need to continue to push the boundaries of development and innovation to remain competitive in the face of increasingly stiff competition.

MotoGP Constructors’ Championship Standings (as of October 26, 2024):

Pos	Manufacturer	Points	% Points (740)
1	Ducati	708	95.6%
2	Aprilia	355	47.9%
3	KTM	325	43.9%
4	Honda	266	35.9%
5	Yamaha	221	29.8%

Recent Honda Performance:

Despite a challenging season, Honda has shown signs of improvement in recent races. While earlier in the season, Honda struggled to consistently score points, with rounds like Aragon and Mugello yielding only 14 points each, and even lower scores at Mugello and Assen (9 points) and Assen and Sachsenring (17 points), their performance has picked up significantly since August’s Red Bull Ring event.

The turning point appears to be the Red Bull Ring event in August, after which the Tokyo-based brand has consistently accumulated 19 or more points at each round. Notably, the team achieved podium finishes at Motegi and Sepang, showcasing the potential of the RC213V and the riders’ growing confidence.

Yamaha’s Diminishing Hopes:

While Honda is on the cusp of potentially losing concessions, Yamaha’s situation appears more entrenched. The Iwata-based manufacturer has accumulated only 29.8% of the possible points so far, falling significantly short of the 35% requirement to move up to Group C.

To achieve a late move to Group C, Yamaha would need to score an improbable 64 points between Portimao and Valencia. This is a feat they haven’t managed all year, not even by combining their three best results: Jerez, Sachsenring, and Barcelona, which each yielded 20 points.

The Road Ahead:

The final two races of the 2024 MotoGP season will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of Honda and Yamaha. For Honda, the goal will be to secure the necessary points to move into Group C, even if it means sacrificing some of the development advantages that come with being in Group D. For Yamaha, the focus will be on maximizing its performance and building momentum for the 2025 season, regardless of its concession status.

The MotoGP concession system is a complex and evolving mechanism designed to promote competition and parity in the sport. Its effectiveness will continue to be debated and refined as manufacturers strive to find the optimal balance between development freedom and performance. The outcome of the final two races will undoubtedly add another layer to this ongoing discussion.