MotoGP Concessions Stand Unchanged at Midseason Break
The start of the MotoGP summer break also marked the end of the latest window for recalculating the concession rank for each manufacturer. This recalculation, part of a system introduced at the beginning of this year, determines the distribution of various technical perks based on the percentage of maximum constructors’ points scored by each brand over a 12-month period.
The new concessions system converts the percentage of points into a rank from A to D as follows:
A:≥85%
B: ≥60% and <85%
C:≥35% and <60%
D:<35%
The percentage and rank are recalculated twice per year: once from the summer break of the previous year to the summer break of the current year, and again from the first to last race of the season.
Recalculations from the summer break of 2023 to 2024 show that all five factories have remained in the same concessions band, meaning there will be no changes to their rankings for the remainder of the 2024 world championship.
Despite new restrictions on test tires and a ban on wildcards, Ducati has increased its percentage of the maximum constructors’ points from 95% to 96%, easily maintaining its position in band A.
KTM has lost 1%, dropping to 50%, which keeps them in the middle of band C. Meanwhile, Aprilia has improved by 5% and is now also at 50%.
The full D ranking perks for Yamaha and Honda, including in-season engine design changes and private testing with their race riders, have not yet had a positive impact on their constructors’ points. Yamaha has dropped 6%, down to 21% of the maximum available points, while Honda has sunk a similar 5% to 16%. Neither manufacturer is close to the 35% threshold needed to move up to rank C.
Constructors’ points are awarded to the top bike from each manufacturer in each race. Yamaha’s situation might improve next season with the addition of two more machines on the grid, thanks to a new deal with Pramac, which will also reduce the number of Desmosedici bikes from eight to six.