If the victory of Maverick Vinales yesterday marks Suzuki's first victory since 2007 (Vermeulen at Le Mans) and the first in the dry since 2001 (Gibernau in Valencia in 500cc), it could also sign the end of the concessions granted to the Hamamatsu firm.
Concessions for some
Advantages are granted to certain manufacturers if they meet all of the following conditions (art. 2.4.2.1 of settlement, version of 24/08/2016):
- Entering as a new manufacturer since 2013,
- Not having won in the dry since 2013.
For 2016, all the advantages granted to a manufacturer are as follows:
- 9 engines per season,
- Authorized engine development,
- Private tests authorized with Test and contract drivers, regardless of the route, within the limit of 120 tires per driver per season shared with the Test drivers.
At the start of the 2016 season in Qatar, only Suzuki and Aprilia had advantages, because they are two new manufacturers who entered the Championship after 2013 and who do not have victories in the dry.
Yamaha, Honda and Ducati (which no longer has advantages under this new regulation) can use a maximum of 7 motors per pilot. Likewise, the version of the engine is frozen before the start of the season and developments are prohibited during the season.
Withdrawal of these benefits during a season is based on a concession point system marked dry or wet. If the manufacturer scores 6 concession points (3 points for a victory, 2 points for a second place, and 1 point for a third place):
- Private tests will no longer be authorized with immediate effect,
- 9 engines and development authorized until the end of the season: 7 engines and development frozen the following season.
The development of the GSX-RR will probably be less rapid in 2017.
Suzuki, Aprilia & KTM
Since yesterday, Suzuki scores a victory in the dry thanks to Viñales. With Viñales' podium at Le Mans, Suzuki now has 3+1 = 4 concession points. Note that for the moment, Suzuki can continue to test freely. On the other hand, a second place or two third places would increase Suzuki's account to 6 concession points. In this eventuality, Suzuki would no longer be allowed to carry out tests freely (immediate effect) and would lose all these advantages in 2017.
Today, of its 9 engines available, Viñales used 7 of which 4 are out of order, because the seals have been removed (for development purposes, controls, etc.). For Aleix Espargaro, the situation is the same: 7 out of 9 engines, including 4 unusable. It is clear that Suzuki is taking advantage of this advantage to develop the engine for the GSX-RR.
Aprilia has neither podium nor victory for the moment, so the Noale firm will be able to maintain its advantages in 2017. The same for KTM who will enter Valencia this season as a wildcard with Mika Kallio then as a permanent constructor in 2017 with Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith.
Obviously, this is only valid as of this writing. The regulations may still be amended between now and the end of the season or during the off-season.
Tom Morsellino
