Honda riders call MotoGP concessions loss "nothing but good news"
Honda's Concession Status and Its Impact on MotoGP
Luca Marini and Joan Mir have expressed their openness to Honda potentially losing its concessions in the upcoming MotoGP season, despite the possible implications for the development of the RC213V. This stance highlights a shift in perspective among factory riders, who recognize the long-term benefits of moving beyond the current concession system.
Honda, alongside Yamaha, is currently part of Group D under MotoGP’s revised concession system. This group offers struggling manufacturers additional advantages, such as increased testing opportunities, engine usage flexibility, and wildcard entries. These benefits have allowed Honda to recover from one of its most challenging periods in the sport, with notable successes including a victory at the rain-affected French Grand Prix and podium finishes at Silverstone, Motegi, and Sepang.
However, this success has come with consequences. Honda is now on the verge of losing its Group D status for the 2026 season. If it accumulates just nine more points in the upcoming Valencia finale, it will be moved to the same tier as KTM and Aprilia. Despite this, Marini believes that moving out of Group D is a goal that has been set since the mid-season.
“From mid-season, we saw that it could be possible to change the rank, and everybody was pushing so hard to achieve this,” said the Italian rider. “Also, for us as factory riders, having fewer events would be nice because in these two years we used so much energy out of the GPs, and it's not easy.”
Marini also highlighted the challenges associated with the extensive testing allowances. “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 or three days [away from home], and it's not so easy.”
He emphasized the importance of the strong test team led by Aleix Espargaro and Taka Nakagami, stating that he feels comfortable with the current situation. “I think it will be just better because at the end we have a very strong test team with Aleix and Taka. 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.”
Group D manufacturers are allowed to freely develop and introduce new engines during the season, while others must stick to the same specification as part of an engine freeze agreed for the start of the 2025 season. However, with MotoGP set to switch to new 850cc power units in 2027, Marini does not see losing development freedom for 2026 as a major 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.”
A Positive Shift for Honda
Joan Mir, who has experienced a resurgence in the second half of the season, agrees that losing Group D concessions would be a reward for the Honda staff who have worked tirelessly to turn around the struggling MotoGP project.
“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.”
Mir acknowledged the significant role that concessions have played in recent years but believes that moving forward without them would be a positive development. “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.”
