After the German Grand Prix, the 2026 MotoGP calendar reached the halfway marker, and the concession system revealed a shift – Ducati fell from the most restrictive Rank A to Rank B, while Aprilia climbed from Rank C up to B.
Mid‑Season Review of the Concession Calculations
The system reviews each manufacturer’s points over the past 12 months, assigning a ranking at the season’s midpoint and again at the year‑end. In 2026, Ducati earned 84.5% of available points, just below the 85% threshold that keeps an outfit in Rank A. Aprilia delivered 72% – comfortably inside the 60‑85% band that defines Rank B.
Manufacturer Placements in Context
Since the 2024 introduction of the concessions framework, Ducati had held the sole position in Rank A. This year, Ducati’s descent to Rank B and Honda’s drop to Rank D (with an overall 31.8% points haul) marked the first time the Italian firm lost its top status. Yamaha remains in Rank D with 23.5% of points, while KTM has yet to reach the 60% mark required for Rank B, sitting instead at a low 49.8%.
Wildcards, Test Tyres and Engine Freedom
Ducati regains three wildcard allocations for the remaining six months and expands its test inventory from 170 to 190 tyres, still constrained to a single aerodynamic update. Aprilia also reduces its test stock to 190 tyres, keeping three wildcards and the same aerodynamic limit. Honda, now relieved from the most restrictive tier, gains open engine development and 40 additional test tyres, moving from a tightly‑controlled program toward the more generous Rank D rules that allow race riders at any GP circuit, 260 test tyres, six wildcards and ten freely developed engines.
Preview of the 2027 Grid and New Prototypes
All manufacturers will begin 2027 on Rank B, setting the stage for the new 850cc prototypes and Pirelli tyres. Teams dedicated most of the current season to phasing out the 1000cc machines in favour of the upcoming prototypes – first trialed at the Brno test and again during the Monday session after the Austrian Grand Prix. The entire 2027 grid will then board these fresh bikes at Valencia on 1 December.
Marc Marquez, on the Ducati team, has steered the brand back into the 2026 concession spotlight. As the championship edges toward its new era, Ducati, Aprilia, Honda and the rest will jostle for each advantage before the 2027 transition.
"