Explained: Ducati, Aprilia, Honda set for MotoGP concession changes after summer break

The final half-season of MotoGP's 1000cc era is set to bring the first major shake-up of manufacturer concession ranking since the current format was introduced at the start of 2024.

Concession status is determined by each manufacturer's percentage of the maximum possible constructors' points:

Rank A: 85% or more.
Rank B: 60% or more but less than 85%.
Rank C: 35% or more but less than 60%.
Rank D: Less than 35%.

Since the system was introduced, Ducati has remained in Rank A, Aprilia and KTM in Rank C, and Yamaha in Rank D. 

Honda has been the only manufacturer to change status, moving from Rank D to Rank C for the start of the 2026 season.

Manufacturers' concession rankings are recalculated twice a year using constructors' points scored during two 'windows':

a. From the first event to the last event of the [current] season – giving the
Concession status for the start of the next season.

b. From the first event after the summer test ban to the last event before
the summer test ban of the following season – giving the Concession
status for the remainder of that season.

The ‘b’ window for 2026, covering constructors' points since last year’s summer break, has now been reached.

The latest percentages signal changes for Ducati, Aprilia and Honda for the remainder of this season.

Aprilia and Ducati are now set to fight it out for the final riders', teams' and constructors' world championships of the 1000cc era on an equal B concession footing, while Honda slips back to D status

What changes for Ducati?

By dropping from Rank A to B, reigning champions Ducati will immediately have access to more testing tyres (from 75 to 84) and are now eligible for up to three wildcard entries (banned in Rank A).

What changes for Aprilia?

The current title leaders move from Rank C to B, which means an immediate reduction in the number of testing tyres (93 to 84) and wildcards (6 to 3).

What changes for Honda?

After a brief appearance in Rank C, Honda returns to full concession access in Rank D, alongside Yamaha.

For the remainder of 2026, this means Honda gets more testing tyres (93 to 115), can hold private tests with ‘contracted’ race riders and has the freedom to test at any GP circuit (not within 14 days of a grand prix).

Each Honda rider can also use two additional engines this season, engine design is no longer frozen, and one more aero update is allowed.

However, with all manufacturers now heavily focused on development of new 850cc machines for 2027, using Pirelli tyres, such D perks are nowhere near as valuable as before.

What happens in 2027?

Concession status will be reset for the start of the new 850cc MotoGP era, with all five manufacturers starting the 2027 world championship in Rank B.

2027 Rank B concessions
• 84 test tyres.
• Private testing for test riders only.
• GP test circuits, at 3 nominated circuits only.
• Engines per rider per season = 6 (up to 20 races) or 7 (21 or 22 races).*
• Engine specification subject to approval.
• Aero updates per rider per season = 1

*One fewer engine than 2026 concessions. All wildcards banned from 2027, regardless of concession rank.

The usual summer recalculation will then take place, but it will be based only on results from the first half of the 2027 season, rather than including results from the second half of 2026 (on 1000cc bikes).

The standard full-season concession calculations will then resume from the end of the 2027 campaign.