Honda's Hopes for MotoGP Concessions Hang by a Thread After Mir-Marini Collision

Valencia, Spain – Honda’s pursuit of improved concessions in the MotoGP World Championship suffered a significant setback during the Valencia Grand Prix weekend, after a collision between factory riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini in Saturday’s sprint race jeopardized their chances of escaping Group D status. With only the main race remaining, the Japanese manufacturer faces an uphill battle to secure the points needed to move into the more advantageous Group C category.

Honda arrived in Valencia with a clear objective: accumulate nine points across the sprint and main race. The concession system, revised for the 2024 season, categorizes manufacturers based on their performance, granting varying degrees of development and testing allowances. Group D, the lowest tier, offers the most freedom but is seen as an indicator of poor performance, something Honda is keen to shed.

The sprint race presented the first opportunity to score points, but the Honda contingent struggled from the outset. Mir, who qualified tenth, lost ground on the opening lap, while Marini, starting from 13th, found himself mired in the lower reaches of the field. As Mir attempted to recover lost positions on the second lap, he lost control of his RC213V, crashing into Marini and eliminating both riders from the race.

"It’s something that you never want to happen," Mir said, expressing his regret. "I’m sorry for him, I’m sorry for the team, because it’s not something that I’m used to doing, things like this. It was my mistake, but it was not a crazy maneuver."

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The incident left Honda with zero points from the sprint, placing immense pressure on their remaining riders for Sunday’s main event. Johann Zarco, riding for the independent LCR Honda team, finished just outside the points in tenth, failing to compensate for the factory duo’s mishap.

Somkiat Chantra, Zarco’s teammate at LCR Honda, faces an improbable task to secure the necessary points on Sunday. As a perennial tail-ender, his chances of a top-seven finish are slim. Wildcard rider Aleix Espargaro, while providing valuable development feedback, is ineligible to score points.

With Mir also facing a long-lap penalty in Sunday’s race, the onus falls on Mir, Marini, and Zarco to achieve at least a seventh-place finish. Such a result would secure the minimum nine points needed for Honda to advance to Group C concessions.

"If you asked me on Thursday if there would be a problem to make nine points or something like this, I would have said, ‘probably not’," Mir admitted, acknowledging the team’s underestimation of the challenge. "But now I have to do a good race tomorrow to try to lose [concessions]."

Mir also highlighted the unexpected struggles faced by the team at the Valencia circuit: "This weekend, we’ve had more problems than we expected. Myself, my team-mates, we are struggling more than we expected on this track. That’s the reality."

Both factory riders and HRC team boss Alberto Puig have consistently voiced their desire to escape Group D concessions, despite the potential loss of testing and development flexibility. The prevailing sentiment within the team is that shedding the stigma of the lowest tier outweighs the benefits of increased allowances.

Honda’s current predicament underscores the challenges they have faced throughout the 2023 season. Plagued by performance issues and rider injuries, the team has struggled to compete with their European rivals. The concession system, designed to level the playing field, has become a focal point for Honda’s efforts to regain competitiveness.

The Valencia Grand Prix represents the final opportunity for Honda to improve their concession status before the start of the 2024 season. Failure to secure the necessary points would leave them in Group D, with limited resources to address their ongoing performance deficit.

The pressure on Honda’s riders is palpable, as they carry the weight of the manufacturer’s aspirations on their shoulders. While the circumstances are vastly different from his championship-winning ride at the same circuit in 2020, Mir faces a crucial race in his bid to salvage Honda’s weekend.

The revised MotoGP concession system, introduced for the 2024 season, aims to create a more balanced competitive landscape by granting manufacturers varying degrees of development and testing allowances based on their performance in the preceding season. The system divides manufacturers into four groups, A through D, with Group A receiving the fewest concessions and Group D the most.

Under the new regulations, manufacturers in Group D are granted the following advantages:

Unlimited testing: They can conduct private testing with their contracted riders at any circuit on the MotoGP calendar.
Engine development freedom: They are not subject to engine development freezes, allowing them to introduce new engine specifications throughout the season.
Aerodynamic updates: They can introduce two aerodynamic updates per season, compared to the single update allowed for manufacturers in Groups A, B, and C.
More wild card entries: They can field up to six wild card entries per season, providing additional opportunities for testing and development.

While these concessions offer significant advantages, manufacturers are keen to avoid Group D status due to the perception that it reflects poorly on their performance. The stigma associated with the lowest tier outweighs the benefits of increased allowances, as manufacturers strive to project an image of competitiveness and technical prowess.

Honda’s struggles in recent years have led to their current position in Group D. The Japanese manufacturer, historically a dominant force in MotoGP, has faced challenges in adapting to the evolving technical landscape of the sport. Their RC213V machine has lacked the performance and competitiveness of its European rivals, leading to a decline in race results and championship standings.

The arrival of Joan Mir and Luca Marini to the Repsol Honda Team was expected to usher in a new era of competitiveness. However, both riders have faced difficulties in adapting to the RC213V, and the team’s overall performance has remained below expectations.

The Valencia Grand Prix weekend has further highlighted the challenges facing Honda. The collision between Mir and Marini in the sprint race underscored the team’s internal struggles, while the overall lack of competitiveness across the Honda contingent has raised concerns about their ability to turn the tide.

As the MotoGP World Championship prepares for the final race of the season, Honda’s hopes for improved concessions hang by a thread. The manufacturer’s riders face immense pressure to deliver a strong result, not only to secure a more advantageous position in the concession system but also to restore pride and confidence within the team.

Despite the challenges, Honda remains determined to overcome their current difficulties and reclaim their position as a leading force in MotoGP. The manufacturer’s commitment to innovation and development is unwavering, and they are confident that they can develop the RC213V into a competitive machine capable of challenging for race wins and championships.

The outcome of the Valencia Grand Prix will serve as a crucial indicator of Honda’s progress and their ability to turn the tide. The race represents a pivotal moment in the manufacturer’s efforts to regain competitiveness and reclaim their place among the elite in MotoGP.