MotoGP's unified software...

This week's updated MotoGP rules included the following statement regarding the 2016 single ECU system.

"It was already announced that Factory teams in the MotoGP class must move to using unified software with effect from 01 July 2015. It has now been confirmed that different teams, using machines from the same Factory, may use different versions of the unified software."

That can be interpreted in several ways, so what exactly does it mean?

This is what Crash.net has been told:

The first thing to confirm is that the "unified software" refers to the mandatory single Official software that will debut in 2016. There will be only one version of this Official software available to all MotoGP competitors.

The 2016 software will be based on the current Open class software, with all Factory manufacturers invited to take part in development during 2015.

But to take part in development, continuing manufacturers Honda, Yamaha and Ducati must freeze work on their own software on July 1. They are still allowed to race with their own software until the end of 2015, but the only post-June changes will be for safety, bug-fixing purposes.

The phrase "different versions" means each manufacturer can freeze one version of their software for a Factory team and another for satellite teams, until the end of 2015.

The two new MotoGP manufacturers, Suzuki and Aprilia, have also been invited to take part in the 2016 software development. But unlike the other manufacturers, they can continue developing their own software until the end of 2015 if they wish.

Accompanying the 2016 ECU will be a single set of technical rules to replace the Factory, Factory 2 and Open class regulations. While issues such as machine weight and engines changes are still to be agreed, this week's announcement confirmed that the 2016 fuel limit has been set at 22 litres, midway between the current Factory and Open limits.