Honda Faces Potential Reclassification in MotoGP Concession System After Recent Performance Gains

Honda’s recent resurgence in MotoGP has placed the Japanese manufacturer on the cusp of relinquishing its top-tier concession benefits, a development that could significantly alter its development trajectory for the 2025 season and beyond. With just two rounds remaining in the 2024 championship, the team finds itself a mere 19 points shy of graduating from Group D to Group C within MotoGP’s revamped concession system.

The concession framework, reintroduced in November 2023, was designed to level the playing field and provide struggling manufacturers with increased development opportunities to close the performance gap to the frontrunners. The system divides the five participating manufacturers – Ducati, Aprilia, KTM, Honda, and Yamaha – into four distinct groups, each offering varying degrees of technical freedom and developmental allowances.

The current standings see Ducati, the dominant force in MotoGP, firmly entrenched in Group A, the category with the most stringent restrictions. No manufacturer currently occupies Group B, and the regulations stipulate that no team will be promoted to this tier regardless of final results. Aprilia and KTM currently reside in Group C, while both Honda and Yamaha benefit from the least restrictive environment of Group D.

The concession system undergoes a biannual review, occurring at the season’s midpoint and conclusion, based on the percentage of total constructors’ championship points earned. This mechanism aims to ensure that manufacturers are appropriately categorized based on their performance relative to the competition.

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The Concession Tiers:

Group A: Manufacturers subject to the most restrictions, including limitations on engine development, aerodynamic updates, and private testing.
Group B: A currently unoccupied tier with regulations designed for manufacturers demonstrating moderate competitiveness. No teams will be promoted to this tier regardless of final results.
Group C: Manufacturers with intermediate levels of restrictions and developmental allowances.
Group D: Manufacturers with the fewest restrictions, allowing for greater freedom in engine development, aerodynamic modifications, and testing programs.

Honda’s Trajectory:

Honda’s current standing presents a complex scenario. While the prospect of moving up to Group C signifies improved performance, it also entails a loss of the valuable concessions that have aided its recent progress. These concessions, including greater engine development flexibility, increased aerodynamic updates, and expanded testing opportunities, have been instrumental in Honda’s efforts to bridge the gap to the leading manufacturers.

To secure a move to Group C, Honda needs to accumulate at least 19 points across the remaining two rounds in Portimao and Valencia. Given the team’s recent form, this outcome appears increasingly probable. The manufacturer has consistently scored points since the Red Bull Ring event in August, including podium finishes at Motegi and Sepang.

However, a failure to secure those 19 points in the final two rounds would see Honda remain in Group D.

Yamaha’s Situation:

Yamaha, the other manufacturer currently in Group D, faces a different set of circumstances. While theoretically capable of moving up to Group C, the Iwata-based manufacturer would require a substantial points haul to make the leap. Yamaha needs to score 64 of the 74 available points in the final two races, a feat that seems highly improbable given their performance throughout the season.

Constructors’ Standings (as of November 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%

Implications of Losing Concessions:

The potential loss of concessions presents a significant challenge for Honda. The manufacturer has relied heavily on the added development freedom to address the performance deficiencies of its RC213V machine. Without these advantages, Honda may find it more difficult to introduce crucial upgrades and maintain its recent momentum.

The impact on Honda’s rider lineup, including Joan Mir and Luca Marini, remains to be seen. The riders have openly acknowledged the challenges of the current machine and have expressed hope that the concessions would facilitate faster development.

Technical Details of the Concession System:

The MotoGP concession system grants manufacturers in Groups C and D a range of benefits, including:

Engine Development: Greater freedom to modify engine specifications throughout the season, allowing for continuous improvements to power, torque, and fuel efficiency.
Aerodynamic Updates: Increased opportunities to introduce new aerodynamic packages, enabling manufacturers to refine the bike’s handling and stability.
Testing: Expanded testing opportunities, including private tests with official riders, providing valuable data and development feedback.
Wildcard Entries: The ability to field wildcard riders at selected races, allowing for additional data collection and evaluation of new components.

Concession System Details:

Concession	Group A	Group B	Group C	Group D
Engine Upgrades	Homologated at first event, no changes	Allowed	Allowed	Allowed
Aero Upgrades	One upgrade per season	Two per season	Two upgrades per season	Unlimited
Private testing	Restricted	Allowed	Allowed	Allowed
Rider restrictions for private testing	Restricted	None	None	None
Wildcard races before summer break	0	2	3	3
Wildcard races after summer break	0	2	3	3

The forthcoming races at Portimao and Valencia will be crucial in determining Honda’s fate within the MotoGP concession system. Whether the team can maintain its upward trajectory and secure the necessary points to move into Group C, or whether it will remain in Group D and retain its top-tier concessions, remains to be seen. The outcome will have significant implications for Honda’s development program and its ability to compete at the highest level of MotoGP in the coming seasons.