Recent rule changes in MotoGP offer Japanese brands Honda and Yamaha a potential advantage thanks to a strengthened concessions system. However, according to observations by Dennis Noyes in the “Cinta Americana” podcast, these benefits could remain theoretical without effective implementation.
The concession system allows teams with lagging performances to benefit from more freedom in terms of development, particularly in terms of engines and aerodynamic solutions. “ What do concessions mean? This means that we can introduce new features on the engine, that we can bring different aerodynamic solutions, " explain noyes. But he warns that, despite these advantages, the concrete results remain insufficient for the moment, especially in comparison with the previous year.
Taking the example of the performance of Grand Prix of the Americas, noyes illustrates the persistent challenges: “ Last year Alex Rins won on the Honda LCR. This year, the only Honda that finished was that of Luca Marini, 28 seconds slower... Fabio Quartararo was 13,8s slower with the new bike." On the other hand, competitors have seen improvements:“Ducati has improved slightly: Marini was second last year and Enea Bastianini was third this year, being 5,8s faster"
« It all depends on whether Japanese manufacturers want to take advantage of this opportunity or not »
This dynamic highlights the varying ability of teams to exploit the concessions system. “ Now there are many opportunities for Honda and Yamaha to conduct special tests,” adds noyes. However, it reveals that the effectiveness of these tests is uneven: “ A friend of mine who works in Grand Prix told me that these concessions depend on the factories, it depends on their capacity and the intensity they attach to the need to solve this problem."
noyes compares the situation to that of a student struggling in algebra: “ He says it's like if a student was about to fail algebra, and they made him a special concession by leaving the library open all night so he could go and study. Well, it all depends on whether he wants to take advantage of this opportunity or not."
This commentary puts into perspective the crucial importance of strategic use of resources in a competitive environment like MotoGP. “ Because concessions alone don't necessarily mean performance will improve,” concludes noyes, expressing on motorcyclesports his concerns about Japanese brands facing this reality.
