Suzuki to regain concessions in 2018?

If Suzuki repeats its podium-less opening half to the MotoGP season, they will regain technical concessions for 2018.

Suzuki lost the right to unlimited testing, 9 instead of 7 engine changes per rider and exemption from the engine-development freeze after Maverick Vinales claimed four podiums during the 2016 campaign.

Vinales then left for Yamaha.

The best finish so far for Suzuki's new line-up of Andrea Iannone and rookie Alex Rins is seventh place, by Iannone in Austin.

The MotoGP rules state: "When a manufacturer has accrued no concession points during any one season, all riders using this manufacturer’s machines will benefit from the full concessions from the following season."

Aprilia and new manufacturer KTM also look set to continue with technical concessions next year. Neither have yet claimed a concession point and would need to reach six such points before their perks are lost.

However, KTM will lose the right to unlimited fairing updates, which only applies to manufacturers in their first season in the MotoGP class.

An edited version of the MotoGP concession rules can be seen below:

The granting and removal of concessions is based on the accrual by the manufacturer of Concession Points during races, in dry or wet conditions, taking into account all riders using that manufacturer’s machines. Concession points are cumulative from the beginning of the 2015 season.

First place = 3 concession points

Second place = 2 concession points

Third place = 1 concession point

When a manufacturer reaches 6 concession points:

• The right to test on unlimited days is immediately cancelled. From that point the teams are subject to the testing restrictions ie. maximum of 5 days testing. [Outside of this] the manufacturer is restricted to test riders only.

• The use of 9 engines per rider per season is cancelled from the following season. For the next season all riders using the manufacturer’s machines will be subject to 7 engines per rider per season.

• The exemption from the engine homologation regulations is cancelled from the following season.

When a manufacturer has accrued no concession points during any one season, all riders using this manufacturer’s machines will benefit from the full concessions from the following season.