Honda Riders See Potential Benefits in Forfeiting MotoGP Concessions

VALENCIA, Spain – Honda riders Luca Marini and Joan Mir have expressed optimism about the prospect of the manufacturer relinquishing its advantageous MotoGP concessions in 2026, despite the potential implications for the RC213V’s development trajectory.

Honda, alongside Yamaha, currently benefits from Group D status within MotoGP’s revived concession system. This framework provides struggling manufacturers with enhanced allowances across various operational areas, including testing opportunities, engine allocation, and wildcard entries.

The Sakura-based manufacturer has strategically leveraged these concessions to rebound from a period of underperformance in MotoGP. The team secured a victory at the rain-affected French Grand Prix, along with dry-weather podium finishes at Silverstone, Motegi, and Sepang.

However, this resurgence has triggered a potential consequence. Honda is now on the verge of transitioning out of Group D concessions for the 2026 season. To finalize this shift, the team needs to accumulate just nine additional points at the season-ending Valencia finale. Achieving this benchmark would place Honda in the same competitive tier as KTM and Aprilia for the upcoming year.

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Marini emphasized that Honda had internally targeted a move out of Group D by the end of the current season. He noted that the extensive testing allowances also place considerable demands on the riders.

"It’s fantastic. This is a target that we have had since mid-season," said Marini. "From mid-season, we saw that it could be possible to change the rank and everybody was pushing so hard to achieve this."

"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."

"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."

"I think it will be just better because at the end we have a very strong test team with Aleix [Espargaro] and Taka [Nakagami]. 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."

Under the current concession structure, Group D manufacturers have the freedom to develop and introduce new engine specifications throughout the season. In contrast, other manufacturers must adhere to a fixed engine specification from the beginning of the 2025 season.

However, with MotoGP poised to introduce new 850cc power units in 2027, Marini suggested that relinquishing engine development freedom for 2026 is not a significant concern.

"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."

Mir, who has demonstrated improved performance in the second half of the season, concurred that losing Group D concessions would be a recognition of the Honda team’s efforts to revitalize its MotoGP program.

"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."

Background: MotoGP Concession System

The MotoGP concession system was reintroduced to provide support to manufacturers struggling to compete with the dominant forces in the championship. The system is designed to level the playing field by offering tangible benefits to teams that meet specific criteria based on their performance.

The key benefits of the concession system include:

Increased Testing Allowance: Concession teams are permitted more testing days, allowing them to gather crucial data and accelerate the development of their motorcycles.
Engine Development Freedom: Unlike manufacturers without concessions, concession teams can modify and upgrade their engines throughout the season, providing them with greater flexibility to address performance issues.
Wildcard Entries: Concession teams are allowed to enter more wildcard riders in races, providing opportunities to evaluate new talent and gather additional data under race conditions.

Honda’s Recent Performance

Honda’s recent improvements in MotoGP have been attributed to a combination of factors, including:

Aggressive Development Program: Honda has invested heavily in developing its RC213V motorcycle, focusing on areas such as aerodynamics, engine performance, and chassis design.
Strategic Use of Concessions: Honda has effectively utilized the concessions available to them, maximizing their testing opportunities and engine development freedom.
Rider Performance: Riders like Luca Marini and Joan Mir have demonstrated improved performance, contributing to the team’s overall success.

Implications of Losing Concessions

Losing Group D concessions would have several implications for Honda:

Reduced Testing: Honda would have fewer testing days, potentially slowing down the development of their motorcycle.
Engine Freeze: Honda would be required to maintain a fixed engine specification throughout the 2026 season, limiting their ability to address performance issues.
Fewer Wildcard Entries: Honda would have fewer opportunities to enter wildcard riders in races.

Despite these potential drawbacks, Honda riders remain optimistic that losing concessions would be a positive sign, indicating that the team has made significant progress and is now capable of competing on a more level playing field. The focus will now shift to the Valencia finale, where Honda aims to secure the points necessary to transition out of Group D and embark on a new chapter in their MotoGP journey.

MotoGP Valencia Grand Prix: Key Talking Points

The MotoGP season concludes this weekend at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, Spain. Here are some key storylines to watch:

Championship Battle: While the riders’ championship has already been decided, the teams’ and constructors’ titles are still up for grabs.
Honda’s Concession Status: As mentioned, Honda needs to score nine points to lose its Group D concessions. The pressure will be on Marini and Mir to deliver strong performances.
Rider Lineups: Several teams will be fielding different rider lineups for the Valencia Grand Prix, either due to injuries or riders leaving the team at the end of the season.
Weather Conditions: The weather forecast for Valencia is uncertain, which could play a significant role in the outcome of the race.
Farewell Races: The Valencia Grand Prix will be the final race for several riders, including some long-time veterans of the sport.

Rider and Team Quotes

Luca Marini (Honda): "We have been working very hard to improve the bike, and I think we have made good progress in recent races. Losing the concessions would be a sign that we are moving in the right direction."

Joan Mir (Honda): "It would be a great achievement for the team if we can lose the concessions. It would show that we are capable of competing with the best teams in MotoGP."

Team Manager (Honda): "We are focused on finishing the season strongly in Valencia. We know that losing the concessions would be a challenge, but we are confident that we can continue to improve our performance."

Statistical Overview: Honda’s 2024 MotoGP Season

Race Wins: 1 (French Grand Prix)
Podium Finishes: 4
Best Qualifying Result: 2nd
Current Team Standings: 5th
Rider Standings:
- Luca Marini: 12th
- Joan Mir: 15th

Upcoming Changes in MotoGP (2027 Season)

The introduction of 850cc engines in 2027 will mark a significant shift in MotoGP. The new engine regulations are intended to:

Reduce Top Speeds: The smaller engine displacement is expected to lower top speeds, potentially improving safety.
Promote Fuel Efficiency: The new engines are designed to be more fuel-efficient, which could lead to changes in race strategy.
Encourage Innovation: The new regulations provide an opportunity for manufacturers to develop innovative engine technologies.

The 2027 season will also see changes to aerodynamics and other technical regulations. The goal is to create a more level playing field and promote closer racing.

Analysis:

Honda’s position is unique. While concessions are designed to help struggling teams, the riders’ sentiment suggests that the team sees the potential loss of these benefits as a marker of progress. The riders’ desire for fewer testing commitments also highlights the demanding nature of the current MotoGP schedule and the strain it places on riders.

The focus on the 2027 engine regulations further underscores the long-term strategic thinking within the team. The limited development window for the current engine specification in 2026 makes the prospect of losing engine development concessions less impactful.

The Valencia Grand Prix will be a critical weekend for Honda. The team’s performance will not only determine its final position in the championship but also its strategic direction for the coming years. Whether Honda manages to secure the necessary points to relinquish its concessions remains to be seen, but the riders’ positive outlook suggests a team confident in its ability to compete regardless of the outcome.