Honda Riders Hail Potential Loss of MotoGP Concessions as a Sign of Progress

VALENCIA, Spain – Honda MotoGP riders Luca Marini and Joan Mir have expressed optimism regarding the possibility of the factory losing its advantageous concessions for the 2026 season, viewing it as a testament to the team’s resurgence rather than a setback. Their comments come as Honda teeters on the brink of relinquishing the Group D status it currently holds under MotoGP’s revamped concession system.

Honda, along with Yamaha, has been benefiting from these concessions, designed to aid struggling manufacturers by granting them increased allowances in areas such as testing, engine development, and wildcard entries. The Japanese manufacturer has utilized these allowances extensively in its efforts to recover from a period of underperformance. The concessions have facilitated more frequent testing, allowing for quicker development cycles and greater opportunities to refine the RC213V motorcycle.

The benefits of the concessions became evident this season, with Honda securing a breakthrough victory at the French Grand Prix in wet conditions. Further demonstrating their progress, the team also achieved dry-weather podium finishes at Silverstone, Motegi, and Sepang. These results have propelled Honda closer to the threshold that would see them reclassified into a higher tier, alongside manufacturers such as KTM and Aprilia.

Under the MotoGP concession system, manufacturers are categorized into groups based on their performance throughout the season. The lower the group, the more concessions are granted. Group D, which Honda currently occupies, represents the most advantageous level of concessions. These include unlimited engine development throughout the season, additional testing days, and the freedom to field wildcard entries at more races.

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The system was reintroduced to level the playing field and provide struggling manufacturers with the resources necessary to close the gap to the frontrunners. For Honda, these concessions have been instrumental in accelerating their development program and addressing the shortcomings of the RC213V.

However, the success Honda has experienced while utilizing these concessions has paradoxically brought them closer to losing them. The concession system is designed to be dynamic, with manufacturers moving up or down the tiers based on their accumulated points. If Honda secures just nine more points at the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix, they will be elevated to a higher group, thus forfeiting the Group D concessions for the 2026 season.

Despite the potential impact on their development capabilities, Marini and Mir have voiced support for the prospect of losing the concessions. They believe it would reflect the significant strides Honda has made in recent months and highlight the effectiveness of their development efforts.

Marini emphasized that moving out of Group D had been a team objective since the mid-point of the season. "It’s fantastic. This is a target that we have had since half-season," he said. "From mid-season, we saw that it could be possible to change the rank and everybody was pushing so hard to achieve this."

The Italian rider also pointed out that the extensive testing requirements associated with the concessions place considerable demands on the riders. "Also, for us as factory riders, to have fewer events would be nice, because in these two years we used so much energy out of the GPs, and it’s not easy," Marini added. "Maybe it looks like it’s just an advantage but sometimes it’s not because you need to take another flight to stay out of home, another two-three days [away from home], and it’s not so easy."

Marini expressed confidence in Honda’s testing infrastructure, noting the contributions of test riders Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami. "I think it will be just better because at the end we have a very strong test team with Aleix and Taka. They are doing a fantastic job at this moment. So I’m really comfortable about this, and I will be just happy if we can achieve these points," he said.

Mir echoed Marini’s sentiments, stating that losing the concessions would be a reward for the hard work and dedication of the Honda staff. "If in the future we don’t have concessions, it is because we deserve it. That’s the reality," he said. "We were in a moment where we didn’t know what to do to be fast. Now, I think we found that correct line – that road, which is very long, but with work and everything, we can improve our actual package. I think that we are on the way. It’s true that the concessions played a big role in the last few years. But if we don’t have it in the future, it will be nothing but good news for us."

The potential loss of concessions also coincides with a significant shift in MotoGP’s technical regulations. In 2027, the series will transition to new 850cc engines, marking a departure from the current 1000cc power units. This change will necessitate a complete redesign of the motorcycles, presenting both challenges and opportunities for all manufacturers.

Marini suggested that the impending engine change mitigates the impact of losing engine development freedom for the 2026 season. "For 2026, the engine is not going [to change much]. The engine is this [spec] now, there is no more meaning to invest so much time and money on the new [2026] engine," he said. "I think we can be satisfied [with the engine we have now]. We will just ask some more little details on the engine for the Sepang test in winter, and then I think it will be the same."

Honda’s current rider lineup consists of Luca Marini, Joan Mir, and Takaaki Nakagami. The team has faced challenges in recent years, struggling to replicate the success they enjoyed in the past with riders such as Marc Marquez. Marquez, who secured six MotoGP world championships with Honda, departed the team at the end of the 2023 season to join Gresini Racing, a Ducati satellite team.

Marini joined Honda for the 2024 season, replacing Marquez. Mir, a former MotoGP world champion, has been with Honda since 2023. Nakagami, who rides for the LCR Honda satellite team, has been a long-time Honda rider.

As the MotoGP season draws to a close with the Valencia Grand Prix, Honda’s focus will be on securing the points necessary to relinquish their Group D concessions. While this may appear counterintuitive, the riders believe it would signify a turning point for the team, demonstrating their ability to compete at the highest level without relying on the additional support provided by the concession system.

The outcome of the Valencia Grand Prix will determine whether Honda enters the 2026 season with or without the benefits of Group D concessions. Regardless of the result, the team’s recent progress suggests they are on the right track to returning to the forefront of MotoGP.