MotoGP-Concession-System: Ducati goes down, Aprilia goes up

– With the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring, the 2026 MotoGP season reached its halfway point. Eleven of 22 race weekends have been completed, and based on the world championship standings, a new calculation of the concession system is made.

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In the current system, the points of each manufacturer are counted at the halfway point and at the end of the season to determine which concession level they fall into for the following six months.

Since the introduction of the current concession system in 2024, Ducati has always remained at the highest and thus most restrictive level, Rank A. This has now changed for the first time.

To remain in Rank A, 85 percent of the available points must be achieved. Ducati reached 84.5 percent in the last twelve months, which means the Italian brand drops to Rank B.

Thus, after two and a half years, Ducati again has the opportunity to use three wildcards in the remainder of the season. Additionally, the tire allocation for private tests is increased from 170 to 190.

Both Italian brands are now in Rank B. Thanks to their successes, Aprilia has collected 72 percent of the world championship points and thus moves up from Rank C. As a result, the number of test tires decreases from 220 to 190.

Furthermore, only three wildcards may be registered instead of six. So far, Aprilia has only registered one wildcard for Lorenzo Savadori in Jerez. KTM remains unchanged in Rank C, having achieved 49.8 percent of the world championship points.

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KTM is thus the only brand in Rank C, as Honda has been relegated. At the 2025 season finale in Valencia, the promotion from Rank D to Rank C was still celebrated as a major step forward, but now Honda has dropped back down.

The required minimum threshold for Rank C is 35 percent of the world championship points. Honda achieved only 31.8 percent. Yamaha also did not reach the threshold with 23.5 percent. Thus, both Japanese manufacturers are back in Rank D.

There are 260 test tires available. Additionally, regular riders are allowed to test privately. Testing is also permitted on every Grand Prix circuit and not just on three nominated tracks.

Furthermore, ten instead of eight engines are available, and engine development is not frozen. Additionally, two aerodynamic updates may be homologated.

However, these freedoms currently remain mostly theoretical. Honda will no longer bring new developments for the RC213V. No engine update is expected from Yamaha either.

When the new technical regulations with 850 cubic centimeters displacement come into effect next year, all five manufacturers will start in Rank B.

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