Can Honda, the world's leading manufacturer with an eloquent and even impressive track record during the splendor of Marc Marquez, be legally considered a beginner manufacturer with limited means? Which would mean taking advantage of so-called concession points, with significant advantages. Certainly, as for the case of Aprilia, which evolves under this regime, it is not quite obvious, but for a company like Honda, it would allow it to find a superb lost for two seasons now...
The regulation's concession points are a system put in place in 2016 and initially intended to help a manufacturer launch its program MotoGP. Ducati, Suzuki, KTM took advantage of it and Aprilia still enjoys it because his track record is modest. Because we logically lose the advantages when we start to get on the podium and win. The Austrians have thus changed their status since their great 2020 season.
But when we no longer win, can we go back? A priori no. However, regarding Honda, the topic is launched. The official Pol Espargaro, who benefited from these arrangements during his period KTM commented : " at this moment I would not be ashamed to be able to benefit from the concessions, in fact it would be useful. It is true that Honda represents a house considered the elite of motorcycle sport, which invests a lot of money in the MotoGP project, but we must grow and improve » says the Spaniard who adds: “ This year I started the season with only five days of testing, which is nothing and the bike is not at the level of the others. For 2022, the days allowed on the track will still be the same and this could penalize us again. As mentioned, if we have the concessions, we are welcome, there is no shame ».
And side Marc Marquez ? We are more proud… “ I hope we don't get them, that would mean having made podiums and perhaps victories by the end of the year “, he explains. “ A benefit for the future would be nice, but I don't think we'll get them ».
Should a company as prestigious as Honda go through this?
Concretely, what would this mean? Those who do not benefit from concessions must complete a season with Sept motors instead of new and these engines are frozen at the start of the campaign, meaning they cannot be developed during the competition year. Manufacturers not benefiting from concessions are also not allowed to carry out private test days with their drivers. Dealer manufacturers also have the right to align six wildcards during a season, while the others can only field three.
At Aprilia, with just one fast rider, two motorcycles, and visibly limited resources, the advantages are not seen. But regarding Honda, we enter another dimension… And bearing in mind, the brand is experiencing a difficult 2021 campaign. Its four pilots distributed among Repsol and LCR are suffering. Takaaki Nakagami achieved Honda's best result of 2021 with a fourth place at the Spanish Grand Prix, while none of its factory team's drivers, Marc Marquez et Pol I will espargaro, did not enter the top 6. As a result, Honda occupies fifth of the six places listed in the manufacturers' ranking and is only three points ahead of Aprilia...
