Concessions reshuffle at season midpoint
The halfway point of the 2026 MotoGP season has triggered a significant shift in the manufacturer concessions hierarchy following the German Grand Prix. Aprilia has climbed to Rank B after scoring 72% of available points over the previous 12 months, while Ducati slips from the top-tier Rank A to Rank B after tallying 84.5% — just half a percentage point below the 85% threshold required to remain at the most restrictive level. Since the system’s introduction in 2024, the Bologna factory had never relinquished Rank A status.
KTM remains at Rank C with 49.8%, unable to reach the 60% floor for Rank B, while Honda tumbles from Rank C to Rank D after managing only 31.8% of points, falling short of the 35% minimum. Yamaha stays rooted in Rank D with 23.5%. The Tokyo manufacturer had briefly reached Rank C at the end of 2025 but could not sustain the performance over a full year.
Honda and Yamaha slide while 2027 focus intensifies
Ducati’s demotion brings tangible benefits: three wildcard entries return for the next six months, test tyre allocation rises from 170 to 190, and a single aerodynamic update is retained. The wildcards could be deployed for test rider Michele Pirro or World Superbike points leader Nicolo Bulega, who is expected to join VR46 on a factory deal in 2027. Aprilia sees its test tyre quota reduced from 220 to 190, while Honda regains the ability to test with race riders, gains 40 additional test tyres, and unlocks open engine development.
The current concessions framework expires at season’s end, with all manufacturers resetting to Rank B for the 2027 campaign. Development focus has already pivoted to the new 850cc prototypes and Pirelli tyres, with several race riders sampling early iterations at the recent Brno test. The entire 2027 grid will evaluate the machinery during the Monday test after the Austrian Grand Prix and again at a collective Valencia session on 1 December.